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JOURNAL   OF   VOYAGES 

TO  CHINA  AND  RETURN 

1851-1853 


«••  1. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2011  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/journalofvoyagesOOblan 


HENRY    BLANK Y 
From  a  photograph  taken  shortly  after  his  return  from  China 


HENRY  BLANEY 

BOSTON  1822-1S96 


journal  of  l^opageB 

TO 

CHINA  AND  RETURN 

1851-1853 


llBosfton 

PKIVATELY   PRINTED 
1913 


COPYRIGHT,   I913,  BY  DWIGHT  BLANEY 


PREFATORY  NOTE 

The  following  Journals  written  by  my  father, 
touching  as  they  do  on  that  wonderful  period 
of  American  shipping  known  as  the  "  Clipper 
Ship  Era,"  are  of  sufficient  interest,  I  am  sure, 
to  those  of  my  generation  to  warrant  their  pub- 
lication. 

Those  of  us,  his  children,  relatives,  and 
friends,  who  remember  him,  and  love  his  mem- 
ory, will  have  recalled  to  them  by  these  pages 
the  enthusiasm,  generosity,  and  love  of  friend- 
ship of  this  kindly  man. 

I  am  under  obligation  to  Mr.  George  C. 
Wales,  whose  knowledge  of  the  sea  and  ships 
and  whose  personal  regard  for  my  father  have 
combined  to  make  him  of  great  assistance  in 
the  publication  of  these  Journals. 

Dwight  Blaney. 

Boston,  February  28,  1913. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Henry  Blaney Frontispiece 

From  a  photograph  taken  shortly  after  his  return 
from  China 


Benjamin  Blaney x 

1794-1857 

Abigail  (Bowman)  Blaney    .      .      .       .    xii 

1794-1873 

Clipper  Ship,  "  Flying  Cloud  "  .       .      .82 

From  a  print  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  George  C. 
Wales 

Facsimile  of  a  Page  from  the  Journal 
of  Henry  Blaney 120 

End  Paper   Track  Chart  of  Outward 
and  Homeward  Voyages 


HENRY  BLANEY 

Born  January  3,  1822  —  Died  February  2,  1896 


HENRY  BLANEY,  the  author  of  the 
Journals,  was  born  at  No.  19  Common 
Street,  Boston,  the  son  of  Benjamin  (born  Sep- 
tember 20,  1794;  died  1857)  and  Abigail 
(Bowman,  born  1794;  died  1873).  He  was 
descended  from  John  Blaney  (born  1629 ; 
married  Hannah  King),  who  settled  in  Lynn, 
Massachusetts,  in  1659.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  Boston  Public  Schools  and  Chauncy 
HaU  School. 

In  1844,  Mr.  Blaney  became  a  member  of 
the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Com- 
pany, and  on  July  15,  1850,  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Company  of  Ca- 
dets, becoming  sergeant  in  1854,  and  was  for 
a  number  of  years  clerk  of  the  First  Corps  of 
Cadets,  M.  V.M.  He  was  also  a  Mason,  joining 
the  Columbian  Lodge  in  1843,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  was  a  Knight  Templar.  He  was  a 


x  HENRY  BLANEY 

charter  member  of  the  Boston  Art  Club,  of 
which  he  remained  a  member  until  his  death. 
He  was  also  a  life  member  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Horticultural  Society,  and  for  many  years 
a  member  of  the  Bostonian  Society.  Returning 
from  China,  as  shown  in  the  Journals,  June  6, 
1853,  he  entered  the  counting-room  of  F.  Skin- 
ner &  Company,  where  he  remained  for  nine- 
teen years. 

On  March  14,  1854,  Mr.  Blaney  married 
Mary  French  Wood  (born  December  22, 1833 ; 
died  January  6,  1912)  and  resided  first  in 
Dedham,  and  later  in  Brookline,  corner  of  Park 
and  Vernon  Streets.  In  1870,  the  family,  now 
with  four  children,  moved  into  Boston,  living 
at  47  Commonwealth  Avenue  for  some  years. 
In  the  panic  following  the  great  fire  of  Boston 
in  November,  1872,  he  suffered  severely  finan- 
cially, and  was  forced  to  give  up  most  of  his 
property,  including  the  Boston  house  and  his 
Babcock  Street,  Brookline,  property,  which 
entire  street  he  owned  and  laid  out  with  shade 
trees. 

He  died  in  Salem,  February  2,  1896,  at  the 
home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Ross  Turner,  and 


*i 


BENJAMIN    BLANKY 

1794-1857 


HENRY  BLANEY  xi 

was  buried  in  the  family  tomb  at  Mount  Au- 
burn. 


"We  know  little  about  Mr.  Blaney's  father, 
Benjamin  Blaney,  though  a  Boston  paper  of 
the  year  1857  has  the  following  notice  of  his 
death :  — 

DEATH  OF  A  WELL-KNOWN  CITIZEN 

Mr.  Benjamin  Blaney,  one  of  our  well-known 
citizens  of  the  old  school,  died  on  the  10th  inst.,  in 
the  64th  year  of  his  age.  The  deceased  was  born 
in  Boston  September  20th,  1794.  He  was  a  mason 
by  trade,  and  worked  on  many  of  the  most  substan- 
tial structures  built  in  the  city  from  1815  to  1835. 
He  was  a  Representative  from  Boston  to  the  Legis- 
lature in  1853  and  1854,  and  has  served  in  other 
public  trusts.  He  was  for  many  years  a  prominent 
member  of  the  fire  department,  and  received  a 
handsome  testimonial  from  the  insurance  companies, 
for  his  efficiency  at  the  famous  Beacon  Street  fire. 
His  integrity  and  stability  of  character  won  for  him 
the  respect  and  regard  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 

Benjamin  Blaney  patented  a  domestic  oven 
in  1834,  the  papers  from  the  United  States 
Patent  Office  being  signed  by  President  Andrew 
Jackson.   He  was  in  charge  of  the  work  when 


xii  HENRY  BLANEY 

the  granite  gate-  and  fence-posts  in  front  of  the 
State  House  were  put  in  place.  He  also  had 
the  notoriety  of  shooting  an  eagle  on  the  vane 
on  the  spire  of  Hollis  Street  Church,  about 
1837,  an  occurrence  which  made  some  discus- 
sion in  the  Boston  Transcript  of  March  30, 
and  April  20, 1885.  He  was  a  pewholder  in  the 
Hollis  Street  Church,  the  plan  of  which,  with 
names  of  pewholders,  showing  the  position  of 
his  pew,  is  shown  at  the  Bostonian  Society. 


ABIGAIL    (BOWMAN)    BLANK Y 
17114-1873 


INTRODUCTION 

THESE  Journals  of  Henry  Blaney,  of  a 
Voyage  from  New  York  to  Hong-Kong, 
and  a  Voyage  from  Shanghai  to  New  York, 
were  written  during  his  passages  to  and  from 
China,  in  the  employ  of  Wolcott,  Bates  & 
Company.  The  Outward  Journal  was  sent  to 
his  family  in  Boston,  after  his  arrival  out,  as  the 
narrative  of  his  experiences.  The  Homeward 
Journal,  of  course,  returned  with  him.  Both 
were  written  chiefly  as  intimate  family  letters. 

The  Editors  have  felt  that,  beyond  the  ad- 
dition of  notes,  the  Journals  should  have  no 
more  changes  at  their  hands  than  those  abso- 
lutely necessary.  A  few  omissions  have  been 
made,  where  the  daily  entry  was  merely  the 
ship's  position,  or  where  an  account  of  the 
writer's  physical  condition  could  hardly  in- 
terest the  reader.  In  such  anecdotes  as  might 
give  pain  to  the  families  connected  with  the 
actors,  other  names  have  been  substituted. 

Of  the  data  included  in  this  introduction, 


xiv  INTRODUCTION 

and  in  many  of  the  footnotes,  it  is  obvious 
that  the  Editors  can  have  but  little  knowledge 
at  first  hand,  and  they  wish  to  express  the 
deepest  sense  of  obligation  to  Captain  Arthur 
H.  Clark,  of  New  York,  whose  interest  in  the 
Journals,  and  whose  kindly  advice  and  sug- 
gestions have  been  most  encouraging  and  help- 
ful. Not  only  has  he  given  freely  of  his  time, 
but  also  his  permission  to  quote  his  work,  TJie 
Clipper  Ship  Era  (G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons, 
New  York,  1910)  ;  and  with  his  assistance,  a 
task,  otherwise  involving  chance  of  inaccuracy 
and  loose  statement,  has  been  made  compara- 
tively simple.  Quotations  and  records,  unless 
otherwise  credited,  are  from  The  Clipper  Ship 
Era. 

The  Editors  present  these  Journals  of  the 
time  when  America  furnished  the  speediest 
and  surest  bottoms,  domestic  or  foreign,  that 
the  world's  carrying  trade  had  ever  known,  — 
a  period  that  lasted  until  the  great  develop- 
ment of  the  steamship,  and  until  our  national 
policy  in  regard  to  navigation  laws  threw  the 
foreign  carrying  trade  into  other  hands. 

GEORGE  C.  WALES. 


JOURNAL  FROM  NEW  YORK  TO 
CANTON 


JOURNAL 

FROM  NEW  YORK  TO  CANTON 
SHIP  "SAMUEL  RUSSELL" 

CAPTAIN  LIMEBURNER 

March  13, 1851 

AFTER  making  a  few  purchases  in  New 
York,  and  settling  my  bill  at  the  Astor 
House  for  6  days'  board  and  washing,  etc.,  took 
a  carriage,  and  with  my  trunk  and  other  bag- 
gage, left  the  house  at  91  o'clk  for  the  ship 
Samuel  Russell,  lying  at  Pier  27  East  River. 
Found  everything  in  readiness  for  Sea,  and 
Capt.  Limeburner  anxious  to  get  off  for  Can- 
ton. Went  up  to  see  Mr.  Wolcott  and  the  own- 
ers of  the  ship  —  A.  A.  Low  &  Bros.  —  got  my 
letters,  directions,  etc.,  and  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Henry  G.  Wolcott  —  my  Employer  — 
started  again  for  the  ship,  and  arrived  just  as 
she  was  leaving  the  Pier  towed  by  a  steamer. 


4  HENRY  BLANEY 

The  deck  was  crowded  by  persons  taking 
leave  of  their  friends,  they  were  not  few  as  you 
may  judge  from  the  nature  of  our  passengers 
—  There  were  nine  passengers  in  all,  2  male 
and  3  female  missionaries,  —  1  squalling  2  year 
old  —  (pleasant  augury  for  a  3  months'  voy- 
age — )  property  of  one  of  them.  Mr.  A.  .  .  . 
(a  brother  of  Geo.  A.  .  .  .  ,  Lawyer  of  Bos- 
ton —  he  was  once  a  man  of  property,  but  was 
unfortunate  and  took  to  drinking  —  was  going 
out  to  China  to  retrieve  his  fortune)  —  a  Chi- 
nese boy  of  21  years  of  age  (fine  specimen)  — 
and  myself.  We  had  a  crew  of  22  men  and 
boys  (who  paid  $100.  each  for  the  privilege  of 
going,  and  by  the  way,  one  of  them  looked 
very  much  like  Frank  Bowman,  but  about  as 
large  as  James)  —  3  mates  and  with  the  Cap- 
tain (a  fine  fellow  from  Thomaston,  Me.) 
making  in  all  39  souls. 

The  Steamer  towed  us  out  to  Sandy  Hook 
where  she  left  us,  together  with  the  friends 
of  the  passengers  —  the  pilot  left  us  about 
10  miles  outside  and  we  then  bade  adieu  to 
America. 

March  ljf.  Blew  very  fresh  —  sea  high  — 


HENRY  BLANEY  5 

made  a  fine  run  of  about  250  miles  up  to  12 
o'clk  this  day  —  which  is  called  the  first  day  — 
good  health  and  spirits. 

March  15.  Queer  feeling  in  my  stomach  — 
wasn't  anybody  —  my  health  barometer  indi- 
cating squally  weather. 

March  16.  Sunday.  Do.  Do.  Would  have 
sold  myself  for  a  shilling  —  could  n't  find  any- 
body up  for  a  bid  —  all  turned  in  —  Steward 
in  great  demand. 

March  17.  Do  —  Do  —  slight  variation  in 
my  barometer  —  heard  an  order  to  heave  the 
log ;  felt  my  stomach  Do.  about  the  same  time 
—  faint  recollection  of  the  blk.  Steward  ask- 
ing Massa  Blaney  if  he  hab  nothing  —  tried 
to  speak  —  uttered  a  grunt  —  did  just  as  well. 

March  18.  Health  barometer  rising  —  Still 
blowing  fresh  —  out  and  on  deck.  Mr.  A.  .  .  . 
for  the  want  of  his  customary  stimulants,  was 
very  nervous  and  was  troubled  in  the  same  way 
as  Aunt  Eliza  —  fancied  he  could  hear  people 
talking  to  him  —  said  he  had  just  heard  from 
his  wife  in  N.  Yk.  of  the  death  of  2  of  his 
children  —  were  to  be  buried  at  5  o'clk  that 
day  —  he  was  in  a  horrid  state  of  excitement 


6  HENRY  BLANEY 

—  but  perfectly  harmless  —  would  take  on  very 
bad  —  asked  me  if  I  could  hear  people  talking 
to  him  —  would  go  up  on  deck  in  the  night  and 
imagine  his  wife  was  talking  to  him  from  the 
mast-head  —  the  Captain  was  fearful  he  would 
get  overboard  —  and  set  a  man  to  watch  him 
closely. 

March  19.  Beautiful  day  —  weather  very 
warm,  74  degrees,  —  got  out  my  thin  clothes 
and  stowed  the  rest  away  —  health  and  spirits 
first  rate  —  began  to  eat  my  allowance  —  6 
days  out  —  Lat.  33-57  North  —  50-59  Long. 
West,  about  1500  miles  from  N.  Yk.  —  first 
rate  run  —  Captain  and  I  first  rate  friends. 

March  20.  Splendid  Day,  very  warm  — 
wind  S.E.  nearly  ahead — at  12  o'clk  going 
only  8  knots  —  made  this  day  185  miles  — 
shortest  day's  sail  since  we  left  N.  Yk. 

March  21.  Fine  day  —  not  much  wind  — 
Saw  5  sail  —  signalled  one  — 

March  22.  Made  up  my  mind  last  night  to 
get  up  early  this  a.m.  and  take  a  bath  — 
backed  out  when  I  woke  and  found  the  wind 
blowing  fresh  from  the  South. 

March  23.   Sunday.  Fine  day,  wind  blow- 


HENRY  BLANEY  7 

ing  very  fresh  from  the  South,  none  of  the 
Ladies  made  their  appearance  at  breakfast  — 
all  sick,  only  one  came  to  dinner  —  The  Mis- 
sionaries had  made  up  their  minds  to  have 
services  after  dinner  on  deck  —  but  nearly  all 
being  sick,  gave  it  up.  The  Captain  had  noti- 
fied the  Crew  that  all  who  felt  disposed  might 
prepare  themselves  to  come  aft  the  mainmast 
after  dinner  to  attend  the  Services  but  were 
obliged  to  give  it  up.  Wind  ahead  all  day  and 
blowing  very  fresh  —  estimated  to  be  about 
2000  miles  from  N.  Yk.  A  fine  run —  had  we 
been  going  to  England  with  this  wind  would 
have  arrived  in  10  days  —  Steamer  time  — 

March  2J±.  .  .  .  Shall  try  in  a  day  or  two 
shower  baths  —  by  going  on  deck  early  in  the 
morning  while  the  crew  are  washing  the  decks, 
and  have  them  pump  on  me  —  made  an  agree- 
ment with  the  Captain  to  get  up  yesterday 
morning  and  try  it  —  rather  cold — we  backed 
out. 

March  25.  Very  warm  day  —  not  much 
wind — commenced  studying  Spanish. 

March  26.  Continued  very  warm  —  head 
winds. 


8  HENRY  BLANEY 

March  27.  Calm — and  head  winds.  While 
we  were  at  dinner  quite  a  scene  occurred  —  it 
was  calm  —  hardly  wind  enough  to  move  the 
ship  ahead  —  and  unbeknown  to  the  2d.  mate, 
whose  watch  it  was  on  deck,  she  commenced 
going  astern  while  there  was  a  very  bad  sea 
running — when  all  at  once  we  were  startled 
by  the  water  pouring  into  the  after  cabin  win- 
dows—  she  being  very  sharp  astern  as  all 
Clipper  Ships  are,  she  did  not  have  the  bear- 
ings which  other  ships  have  —  therefore  instead 
of  rising  on  top  of  the  waves  while  going  astern 
—  would  plunge  into  it  and  in  a  few  moments 
the  movable  articles  in  the  cabin  were  all  afloat. 
Then  commenced  a  scene  which  I  am  unable 
to  describe  —  it  was  an  exciting  time  for  a  few 
moments.  The  Captain  started  on  deck  to  get 
headway  upon  her  —  while  the  steward  and  the 
two  Chinese  boys  and  some  of  us  passengers 
succeeded  after  considerable  trouble  in  closing 
the  ports  of  the  windows,  while  the  Ladies 
mounted  the  tables  and  chairs  to  save  a  swamp- 
ing ;  after  a  while  with  the  assistance  of  swabs, 
buckets,  etc.,  we  succeeded  in  clearing  the  cabin, 
and  sat  down  to  finish  our  dinner. 


HENRY  BLANEY  9 

March  28.  Calm  —  made  only  72  miles  this 
day  —  saw  the  first  fish —  a  Bonito  —  about  as 
large  as  a  Haddock  —  jump  out  of  water. 

March  29.  Fine  day  and  very  warm  —  saw 
a  School  flying  fish,  which  was  the  first  new 
sight  to  me,  excepting  a  gale  and  storm  at 
sea. 

March  SO.  Sunday.  A  more  beautiful  day 
I  never  saw.  The  Missionaries  were  able  to 
appear  on  deck  which  they  were  unable  to  do 
on  the  previous  Sunday.  By  permission  of  the 
Captain  they  were  allowed  to  hold  services  on 
deck,  and  just  after  dinner  all  hands  were 
called  aft  where  seats  were  provided  for  them, 
although  there  were  probably  only  3  or  4  out 
of  the  lot  who  could  speak  English,  yet  all  were 
there  dressed  in  their  white  pants  and  blue 
shirts,  and  a  more  attentive  and  orderly  crew 
you  would  not  find  anywhere. 

The  services  commenced  with  a  prayer  and 
hymn  which  one  of  the  ministers  had  the  po- 
liteness to  ask  me  to  lead  off  —  which  I  did  in 
true  Unitarian  style,  but  it  was  rather  a  quick 
trot  for  them,  as  I  really  believe  I  had  finished 
before  they  were  at  the  end  of  the  third  line, 


10  HENRY  BLANEY 

but  I  had  the  Captain  on  my  side,  and  also 
half  the  Crew,  so  I  put  them  through.  The 
tune  was  Old  Hundred,  and  they  being  Meth- 
odists fairly  tired  me  out  with  their  drawling. 
After  the  singing  one  of  the  Ministers  quoted 
a  passage  from  the  Bible  —  "  Boast  not  thyself 
of  the  Morrow"  and  from  that  preached  a 
discourse  Ex-tempore  —  which  was  very  well 
done.  The  Services  were  concluded  by  another 
hymn  which  one  of  the  Ministers  started  but 
broke  down  —  and  after  hemming  a  few  times 
and  looking  at  the  other  Rev.  —  as  much  as  to 
say  "  what  a  bad  cold  I  have,"  he  commenced 
it  again  and  carried  it  through.  Then  with  a 
benediction  the  Services  were  dismissed. 

Although  we  have  had  two  or  three  very 
calm  days  we  have  made  good  headway,  our 
position  this  day  at  12  M.  was  Lat.  15.55 
North ;  Long.  29.46  West ;  having  made  since 
yesterday  12  m,  which  is  one  day,  222  miles  — 
we  are  about  800  miles  from  the  Equator  — 
we  are  in  hopes  to  cross  it  in  about  22  days 
if  we  have  ordinary  winds  —  which  will  be 
within  a  day  of  the  shortest  passage  ever  made 
from  N.  Yk.  to  the  Equator.    This  ship  hav- 


HENRY  BLANEY  11 

ing  crossed  it  in  Feby.  1850  in  21  days  from 
N.  Yk.i 

March  31.  After  breakfast  went  forward  on 
the  Cat  Head  to  watch  the  flying  fish  as  they  rose 
up  from  the  water.  It  was  a  lovely  day  and  as  I 
sat  looking  over  the  bow  it  seemed  to  me  as 
though  we  had  just  left  Boston  on  a  fishing  ex- 
cursion—  the  sea  was  about  as  rough  as  it 
would  be  off  the  Castle  of  a  pleasant  day,  and 
while  the  whole  horizon  was  obscured  by  a  thick 
mist,  as  is  always  to  be  found  at  sea  near  the 
Equator,  the  sun  was  shining  very  warm  — 
wind  N.E.  —  the  air  balmy  and  although  we 
were  250  miles  S.W.  Cape  Verd  Islands  the 
wind  was  blowing  fragrant  and  fresh  from  off 
the  shore  —  a  few  birds  were  flying  around  us 
evidently  having  wandered  from  the  Island,  in 
search  of  flying  fish  —  It  is  just  about  9  o'clk 
—  (we  breakfasted  at  8)  and  I  am  imagining 
that  you  are  all  sound  asleep  while  I  have  been 
up  these  2  hours  —  I  calculate  it  is  just  about 
i  past  5  o'clk,  —  4  minutes  to  a  degree  —  by 
the  difference  in  Lat.  and  Long,  with  you,  and 

1  The  Samuel  Russell  later  made  a  record  of  nineteen 
days  from  Sandy  Hook  to  the  Equator. 


12  HENRY  BLANEY 

when  I  turn  in  to  sleep, —  lOo'clk, —  you  are 
just  about  finishing  your  tea,  —  so  you  see  I 
get  the  first  look  at  the  sun,  and  see  it  rise  and 
set,  which  by  the  way  is  a  glorious  sight  at  sea, 
something  which  I  have  seldom  seen  at  home 
and  account  for  it  by  the  high  buildings,  not 
that  I  don't  get  up  early  enough  —  Oh !  No ! 
While  I  was  sitting  aft  on  deck  this  morn- 
ing with  the  Captain,  one  of  the  sailors  passed 
us  and  I  noticed  some  lines  of  India  Ink 
pricked  into  his  arm ;  when  he  passed  again 
the  Captain  noticed  it  and  called  to  him  — 
they  were  — 

"  From  Rocks  and  Shoals  and  barren  Laiid3 
O  God  wilt  set  me  free; 
From  Pirates  Guns  and  Womens  tongues 
Good  Lord  deliver  me  !  —  " 

April  1.    Pleasant   and   warm  — "  Tricks 
upon  Travellers  "  the  order  of  the  day. 

April  2.  Squally,  with  rain  —  Fine  breeze  — 
April  3.  Raining  and  Squally  —  not  such 
showers  as  we  see  at  home  —  but  down  it  comes 
in  one  sheet.  One  shower  lasted  about  15  min- 
utes —  and  the  Captain  said  he  caught  about 
2  hhds. 


HENRY  BLANEY  13 

April  4'  Rainy  nearly  all  day ;  calm  —  made 
about  40  miles  on  our  course  —  Quite  an  un- 
pleasant affair  occurred  just  after  Tea  —  with 
one  of  our  passengers,  Mr.  A.  .  .  .  who  en- 
deavored to  commit  suicide  by  taking  about  3 
oz.  laudanum.  He  was  sitting  alone  at  the  table 

—  all  the  Gentlemen  but  him  had  left  and  gone 
on  deck ;  the  Ladies  had  retired  to  the  after 
cabin,  which  is  separated  by  a  partition  with  a 
door  at  each  end  —  they  heard  some  one  jump 
quickly  over  the  table  to  a  large  medicine  chest 
at  the  end  of  the  table,  and  then  saw  him  open 
it,  take  out  a  bottle,  put  it  to  his  mouth  and 
drink  two  swallows.  The  Captain  knew  the 
bottle  was  full,  therefore  knew  how  much  he 
took  —  Mrs.  Wiley  ran  to  him,  took  the  bottle 
away  from  him,  and  called  her  husband  —  it 
was  very  fortunate  for  Mr.  A.  .  .  .  that  Mr. 
Wiley  was  a  physician,  or  it  would  have  gone 
hard  with  him  —  he  asked  him  why  he  took  it 
and  it  was  a  long  while  before  he  would  say 
anything,  and  seemed  much  disappointed  that 
he  had  been  observed.  Soon  he  began  to  feel 
the  effects  of  it  which  brought  him  to  his  senses 

—  "  It  is  too  late  "  —  says  he,  "  Capt.,  sew  me 


14  HENRY  BLANEY 

up  and  bury  me  tomorrow  at  12  —  heave  the 
ship  to  —  put  the  flag  at  half  mast  —  and  read 
the  Church  of  England  Service  over  me  —  " 
Finally  he  called  for  a  stomach  pump,  and 
seemed  very  anxious  to  get  relief  —  Dr.  Wiley 
gave  him  20 grains  Sulph.  zinc  and  20  of  Sulph. 
Copper  to  vomit  him,  which  not  producing  the 
desired  effect,  repeated  the  dose,  which  were  it 
not  for  the  Laudanum  would  have  killed  him 

—  but  in  a  few  moments  set  him  to  vomiting 

—  and  for  half  an  hour  kept  it  up  continually 
which  relieved  him  much  and  he  went  to  bed  — 
and  singular  as  it  may  seem,  was  up  and  drest 
the  next  morning  before  any  of  the  rest.  He 
was  very  penitent  and  said  he  felt  very  foolish 
for  what  he  did  —  he  seemed  as  well  as  ever. 

April  5.  At  8  o'clk  a.m.  it  was  hotter  than  I 
ever  felt  it  before  —  not  a  breath  of  air  stirring 

—  we  lay  like  a  log  on  the  water  and  the  rollers 
pitching  us  so  that  it  was  with  difficulty  we 
could  keep  our  feet.  By  the  way !  the  water 
last  night  had  a  most  splendid  appearance  — 
covered  over  by  brilliant  little  stars  —  called 
phosphoric  lights  —  caused  by  the  Animalculae 
in  the  water  —  We  have  been  hovering  between 


HENRY  BLANEY  15 

2  and  4  degrees  of  Latitude  the  last  3  days  — 
hope  for  some  wind  by  noon. 

April  6.  Sunday.  Still  very  warm  —  a 
dead  calm. 

April  7.  Very  warm  with  frequent  showers. 
Rain  pours  down  in  torrents  without  the  least 
warning,  bringing  with  it  a  little  breeze,  which 
when  it  ceased,  would  all  die  away  again,  — 
Saw  a  few  albacores. 

April  8.  Crossed  the  line  at  7  o'clk  this 
morning  —  had  anticipated  some  sport  at  the 
event,  but  was  disappointed,  as  all  hands  were 
busy  trimming  sails,  and  a  prospect  of  a  breeze 
springing  up,  the  Captain  was  anxious  to  im- 
prove it  —  so  the  boys  escaped  a  shaving  — 
and  maybe  the  passengers  also.  Poor  Mr. 
A.  .  .  .  was  in  agony  for  fear  they  would  Bar- 
ber him  —  and  threatened  all  sorts  of  punish- 
ments if  they  attempted  it  ;  he  said  his  face 
was  tender,  and  he  could  n't  even  shave  himself 
and  certainly  wouldn't  trust  Neptune.  This 
evening  the  North  Star  went  down  in  the  hori- 
zon and  the  Southern  Cross  arose  in  the  South. 

April  9.  Very  warm  day  —  Calm  —  Ther. 
90  degrees  in  the  shade.  Captain  treated  us 


16  HENRY  BLANEY 

to  a  row  round  the  ship — it  was  a  beautiful 
sight.  She  lay  perfectly  uncontrollable  in  the 
water,  and  the  long  rollers  would  pitch  and 
drift  her  about  at  their  will — After  rowing: 
round  once  the  Captain  saw  a  squall  coming 
up  —  and  put  for  the  ship  —  hauled  the  Boat 
up,  and  in  a  few  moments,  down  came  the  rain 
harder  than  I  ever  saw  it  before. 

April  10.  At  8  o'clk  a  fresh  breeze  sprang 
up  from  the  South  and  started  us  on  our 
course ;  by  9  o'clk  at  the  rate  of  10  knots  — 
which  was  quite  a  relief  after  being  becalmed 
nearly  a  week. 

April  11.  Fine  breeze ;  going  over  10  knots 
nearly  all  day. 

April  12.  Pleasant  day  —  going  finely — 
passed  a  ship  about  sun  down,  steering  N.E., 
probably  bound  to  England.  Nothing  else  oc- 
curred during  the  day  to  change  the  monot- 
ony. Thermometer  70  degrees. 

April  13.   Sunday.    Very  pleasant  —  Had 

services  on  deck  just  after  dinner ;  2|  o'clk, 

imagined  you  were  all  at  church  at  Morning 

Service  —  Hope  Tom1  preached  you  as  good 

1  The  Rev.  Thomas  Starr  King,  —  minister  of  Hollis  Street 
Church. 


HENRY  BLANEY  17 

sermon  as  we  had  —  I  sang  —  Capt.  blowed. 
Our  minister  —  Methodist  —  exhorting  the 
sailors  to  read  the  Bible,  not  occasionally,  but 
often  —  and  in  order  to  impress  upon  their 
minds  the  importance  of  it  in  order  to  be 
safe,  told  them  the  old  story  of  the  African 
Ostrich,  who,  when  pursued  by  hunters,  al- 
ways, after  being  unable  to  get  clear,  put  their 
heads  underneath  the  sand,  leaving  their  bodies 
exposed,  and  are  then  caught  —  Jacks  looked 
incredulous  —  looked  as  though  they  could 
spin  a  better  yarn  themselves.  Cook  looked 
squint  eyed  —  pulled  his  wool  over  his  eyes 
in  imitation  of  Humbug.  These  services  are 
very  unpopular  with  the  sailors  —  they  be- 
lieve there  is  no  good  luck  at  sea  when  mis- 
sionaries are  on  board.  The  ministers  are 
young  men  and  very  gentlemanly.  Saw  a  ship 
at  daylight  this  morning  ahead  of  us,  going  the 
same  way;  did  not  speak  her — in  two  hours 
she  was  astern  of  us  and  out  of  sight. 

April  14'  I  had  the  impression  when  I 
started,  that  I  should  find  enough  to  interest 
and  amuse  me  all  the  way  out  —  but  I  am  mis- 
taken— although  I  have  everything  for  my  com- 


18  HENRY  BLANEY 

fort  on  board,  yet  I  am  fairly  tired  of  a  Sea 
Voyage  —  missionaries  no  companions — young 
brat  yelling  —  A.  .  .  .  fidgety,  silly,  and  nerv- 
ous; fairly  sore  from  sitting  —  although  there 
is  plenty  room  on  the  quarter  deck  to  prome- 
nade, yet  it  is  not  so  convenient  when  we  are 
going  with  a  10  knot  breeze,  for  it  takes  all 
the  time  to  hold  on  and  keep  on  your  feet.  I 
would  give  a  month's  salary  to  have  a  good 
walk  or  run  round  Boston  Common  —  have 
almost  made  up  my  mind  to  go  for'ard  with  the 
sailors,  and  go  to  work  with  them — Now  and 
then  come  up  with  a  vessel  but  go  by  them 
just  as  though  they  were  lying  at  anchor.  Ex- 
pect to  be  down  tomorrow  on  the  banks  oppo- 
site Rio  Janeiro  —  where  we  shall  no  doubt  see 
some  whales  and  whalers  —  weather  getting 
quite  comfortable,  growing  cooler  every  day  — 
nights  splendid  —  nearly  full  moon. 

April  15.  Fine  day ;  going  9  knots  —  feel 
about  the  same. 

April  16.  Down  sick  with  the  Dysentery  — 
Dr.  Wiley  prescribed  Castor  Oil,  Laudanum, 
Dovers  Powders,  etc.  Think  it  is  all  owing  to 
eating  too  freely  of  Roast  Pork.  The  pig  was 


HENRY  BLANEY  19 

killed  last  Saturday,  and  it  was  brought  on  in 
some  shape  every  meal  —  as  it  would  not  keep 
long,  fresh.  Am  very  partial  to  it,  but  it  is  too 
hearty  for  warm  weather.  Dr.  Wiley  and  Mr. 
A.  .  .  .  unwell  from  the  same  cause. 

April  17.  Tired  of  lying  down  —  drest  and 
went  on  deck ;  think  it  as  well  if  I  keep  quiet 

—  missed  the  little  attentions  I  had  when  I 
was  sick  with  it  before.  Cannot  get  those  little 
comforts  at  sea  which  we  can  on  shore  — 
weather  nearly  calm. 

April  18.  Little  better  today  —  "Wind  light 

—  from  the  North  —  heavy  rollers  from  the 
S.W.  which  stops  our  headway.  Made  only  60 
miles  today  —  Lat.  23.01  South  ;  Long.  32.33 ; 
about  630  miles  from  Rio  Janeiro.  Saw  the 
sun  and  moon  yesterday  rise  and  set  at  the  same 
time  —  a  very  beautiful  sight. 

April  19.  Pleasant  day  —  not  much  wind  — 
health  improving. 

April  20.  Sunday.  Fine  day  —  no  wind  — 
Missionaries  had  services  on  deck  —  about 
half  the  sailors  present  —  Health  improving. 
Saw  the  Magellan  clouds  over  the  Southern 
Cross  —  always  remain  there  stationary  —  Cap- 


20  HENRY  BLANEY 

tain  cross  —  and  expect  we  are  doomed  to  be 
stationary  — 

April  21.  Still  calm  —  but  about  sundown 
the  breeze  sprang  up  and  sent  us  over  the 
water  10  knots  —  Steering  South  —  58  miles 
to  12  o'clk  M.  this  day  — Lat.  28.07  South; 
Long.  32.20. 

April  22.  Eat  nearly  my  allowance  —  Al- 
tered our  course  from  South  to  S.E.  Fresh 
Breeze  —  going  11-i  knots. 

April  23.  Fine  day —  sailed  205  miles. 

April  24-  Weather  beginning  to  grow  cool ; 
changed  my  thin  clothes  for  thick  ones  — 
There  are  light  clouds  trying  to  come  up  from 
the  S.W.  —  but  are  beaten  back  by  N.W. 
winds  —  think  it  will  change  to  S.W.  soon. 

April  25.  Fine  day  but  very  little  wind  — 

April  26.  Wind  fresh  from  W.N.W.— 
Lat.  35.32  South;  Long.  14.03  West;  distance 
today  203  miles  —  Wind  directly  aft  and  sent 
us  thro'  the  water  about  10  knots —  sea  very 
high  wh.  caused  the  vessel  to  roll  considerably; 
—  have  got  quite  smart  again  and  begin  to 
enjoy  the  trip  very  much. 

April  27.  Sunday.  At  3  o'clk  a.m.  the  Cap- 


HENRY  BLANEY  21 

tain  came  to  my  state  room  and  awoke  me, 
and  asked  me  if  I  wished  to  see  some  pretty 
tall  sailing,  to  come  up  on  deck.  The  wind  had 
changed  at  12  o'clk  from  W.N.W.  to  S.W., 
and  at  that  time  (3  o'clk),  was  blowing  fresh. 
I  hurried  up  on  deck  and  found  the  ship  lying 
over  so  that  her  lee  rail  was  within  a  foot  of  the 
top  of  the  water — Just  then,  as  they  were  taking 
in  the  top  gallant  studding  sail,  it  swung  round 
and  struck  the  main  top  gallant  sail,  and  split 
it  in  two.  I  soon  found  there  was  tall  sailing 
indeed ;  such  a  sight  I  never  saw  before  —  The 
sea  as  far  round  as  I  could  shy  a  biscuit  was 
white  with  foam,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  I 
could  keep  my  feet.  Upon  throwing  the  log, 
we  found  she  was  going  13  knots,  and  the 
noble  ship  did  plough  through  the  water  in 
gallant  style.  At  4,  the  Captain  and  myself 
turned  in.  The  Mate  was  reported  to  the  Capt., 
as  being  very  sick  and  unable  to  stand  his 
watch,  and  the  2nd.  mate  had  to  stand  a  double 
one  —  I  turned  out  again  at  7  o'clk  and  found 
the  ship  going  12  knots  —  owing  to  short'ning 
sail  in  order  to  bend  a  new  main  top  gallant 
sail  —  but  she  soon  came  up  again  to  13  knots. 


22  HENRY  BLANEY 

There  were  hundreds  of  Cape  pigeons  flying 
about,  as  large  as  a  duck ;  albatrosses  measur- 
ing 10  feet  to  the  extremity  of  their  wings  and 
"  stink  pots "  2  about  the  same  size  without 
number.  There  was  now  a  prospect  of  making 
up  for  the  calms  we  had  upon  the  Equator. 
And  a  short  passage  was  in  prospect,  —  soon 
to  be  verified.  —  It  was  a  splendid  day,  but  too 
rough  for  the  missionaries  to  hold  forth, — 
pause  —  The  Capt.  has  invited  me  to  take  a 
bottle  Hock  Wine  with  him  —  sorry  —  but  ah 
—  zoell  I  donH  care!  inner  man  much  re- 
freshed —  that 's  me  —  will  proceed  —  The 
sea  was  running  high,  and  covered  with  foam, 
and  was  altogether  the  most  beautiful  scene  I 
ever  saw  —  We  had  run  this  day  235  miles 
and  were  in  Lat.  36.21  South;  Long.  9.27 
West;  having  run  within  60  miles  of  Tristan 
d'Acunha — passed  it  about  midnight. 

April  28.  Wind  came  round  west  N.W., 
directly  aft  and  we  are  rolling  heavily  now  as 
I  write — going  about  101  knots.  Amused  our- 
selves shooting  at  the  Albatrosses — didn't 
kill  any  —  must  have  been  in  the  powder  — 

1  "  Stink  pots  "  ;  —  also  known  as  "  boobies." 


HENRY  BLANEY  23 

very  likely  —  Cook  advised  us  to  elevate  the 
gun  a  little  below  the  birds.  There  's  a  bull — 
Yes,  and  a  blot  too  —  but  lay  it  to  the  lurching 
—  we  have  run  this  day  220  miles. 

April  29.  We  are  now  nearly  in  the  latitude 
of  the  Cape,  and  the  weather  is  similar  to  that 
of  Nov.  1st  in  feeling  and  appearance.  I  have 
doffed  my  summer  suit,  and  donned  my  winter 
one — have  made  up  my  mind  to  experience 
some  severe  weather.  The  change  is  so  great 
and  the  air  so  bracing  that  I  have  to  be  very 
select  in  regard  to  my  diet  —  have  lately  adopted 
Sally's  advice  and  have  had  recourse  to  senna 
which  I  found  in  the  Ship's  Medicine  Chest.  I 
find  it  helps  me.  Lat  38.20  S ;  Long.  5.54  E ; 
265  miles. 

April  30.  Still  blowing  fresh,  with  showers 
of  rain  —  No  observation  today  —  had  to  go  by 
dead  reckoning  —  Capt.  had  delayed  taking  in 
the  boats  thinking  we  should  get  clear  of 
stormy  weather,  but  he  was  mistaken.  About 
10  o'clk,  as  he  and  myself  were  walking  the 
Quarter  deck  preparatory  to  going  below,  a 
heavy  sea  dashed  up  on  the  quarter  snapping 
the  Guy  that  confines  one  of  the  davits  to  the 


24  HENRY  BLANEY 

boats  —  He  immediately  called  all  hands  aft  to 
take  them  in,  which  was  not  accomplished  with- 
out a  deal  of  trouble  and  time.  During  the  pro- 
cess some  of  the  men  had  a  very  narrow  escape 
from  going  overboard,  and  losing  the  boats.  They 
had  fastened  one  end  of  the  boat  to  a  tackle  in 
the  mizzen  rigging  —  let  go  the  guys — and 
about  ten  men  were  hauling  it  inboard  over 
the  lee  rail,  when  a  sea  struck  her  which 
caused  her  to  heel  over  so  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  hold  the  boat  until  she  was  lurched 
against  the  fore  davits,  and  it  was  possible  to 
recover  her  —  thanks  to  the  strength  of  the 
tackles  —  as  it  was,  some  of  the  men  were  bruised, 
but  not  badly — it  was  the  most  unpleasant 
night  I  ever  passed,  and  I  think  none  of  us 
slept  more  than  two  hours  all  night. 

May  1.  Lat.  38.11  Sj  Long.  10  — made 
185  miles —  sea  running  very  high  ;  the  most 
uncomfortable  day  since  we  have  been  out  —  I 
never  have  felt  and  realized  the  strength  and 
force  of  the  wind  and  waves  before  now  —  it 
goes  ahead  of  my  imaginations  even  in  my 
very  dreams.  I  lack  the  power  of  description. 
I  should  like  to  be  gifted  with  the  spirit  of  a 


HENRY  BLANEY  25 

G.  P.  R.  James  —  Dickens  or  Willis  for  an  hour, 
that  I  might  describe  the  scene  around  me  — 
though  I  am  fearful  that  he,  —  G.  P.  R.  James, 
—  would  commence  with  his  oft  proverbial 
style:  —  of  —  "The  sun  was  just  rising  over 
the  hill  when  two  horsemen  were  seen  approach- 
ing at  a  brisk  trot,"  but  that  would  hardly  be 
applicable  to  our  present  situation.  It  would 
be  more  like  if  I  were  to  alter  it  to  :  —  "  The 
sun  was  just  going  down  behind  a  large  black 
cloud,  when  a  person  was  seen  in  the  Cabin  of 
a  Ship,  holding  on  with  one  hand  to  the  table, 
and  attempting  to  write  with  the  other"  —  but 
the  scene  is  so  new  and  so  different  from  my 
wildest  imaginations,  that  I  lack  the  power  of 
describing  it. 

Another  squall  has  struck  us  and  I  must 
give  up  journalizing. 

Around  me  everything  is  in  commotion  — 
the  ship's  lee  rail  is  laying  over  even  with  the 
water.  All  sails  are  set,  including  the  wind- 
ward studding  sails  alow  and  aloft.  The  sky 
sails  were  fortunately  lowered  upon  deck  two 
days  ago.  The  Captain  is  upon  the  Quarter 
deck,  giving  his  orders  in  a  rapid  and  thun- 


26  HENRY  BLANEY 

dering  tone,  which  are  repeated  by  the  three 
mates,  who  with  the  sailors  are  distributed 
about  different  parts  of  the  ship.  The  "Watch 
below  have  just  been  ordered  up,  as  is  custom- 
ary in  case  of  emergency,  and  are  taking  in 
studding  sails,  with  all  possible  despatch  — 
but  before  that  is  completed,  one  sail  is  split 
and  one  boom  broke  short  off  to  the  yard.  The 
other  sails  are  left  to  their  fate,  as  these  clippers 
carry  on  as  long  as  possible,  and  with  the  top- 
masts bending  like  bows,  we  are  sailing  —  with 
the  wind  on  our  quarter  —  through  the  water 
like  mad,  at  the  rate  of  14  knots  per  hour.  It 
is  a  splendid  sight  to  me  and  one  which  I  en- 
joy, to  see  the  sea  running  higher  than  our 
house — home  phrase  —  all  around  us,  rushing 
and  plunging,  and  seeming  to  do  its  utmost  to 
overwhelm  the  ship  —  now  and  then  breaking 
over  and  leaving  a  foot  of  water  upon  the 
deck.  Then  it  is  difficult  for  the  men  to  move 
about  from  one  place  to  another  —  they  are 
well  experienced  and  watch  their  chances  with 
the  roll  of  the  ship.  Often  pieces  of  plank 
break  loose  and  go  back  and  forth  with  the 
rush  of  the  water  making  it  a  shin-breaking 


HENRY  BLANEY  27 

business  to  move  about.  One  of  our  boys  a 
day  or  two  since,  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose 
his  hold  and  slide  across  the  deck  to  leeward 
with  such  force  as  to  nearly  break  his  ankle  — 
but  it  was  found  upon  examination  to  be  only 
sprained.  One  of  the  reverends,  a  6  feet  2 
Chap  took  a  launch  to  leeward  this  morning, 
catching  hold  of  one  of  the  steerage  doors  in 
his  course,  which  broke  from  its  fastenings, 
and  away  he  went  into  the  lee  scuppers.  I  hap- 
pened to  come  on  deck  just  in  time  to  see  him 
pick  himself  out  from  under  a  spare  spar,  for 
all  the  world  like  a  drowned  rat,  and  consol- 
ing himself  with  the  remark,  —  that  "  Such  is 
life,"  as  he  went  below  to  seek  consolation 
from  his  more  fortunate  brethren  and  a  dry 
shirt.  It  is  amusing  to  see  a  regular  salt  and 
a  green  horn  in  one  of  these  fetchaways.  Old 
Jack,  when  he  finds  himself  going,  always 
snuggles  himself  into  as  small  a  compass  as 
possible,  puts  himself  into  a  sort  of  squatty- 
bumbo  position  which  is  amusing  to  the  spec- 
tators, and  embarrassing  to  himself. 

May  2.   We  find  ourselves  today  in  Lat. 
38 — ;  Long  15.43  East;    having  made  the 


28  HENRY  BLANEY 

good  run  of  265  miles — Still  blowing  fresh, 
and  going  round  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  —  with 
a  12  knot  breeze  and  a  strong  head  current. 

May  3.  Blowing  fresh,  and  a  head  current 
—  frequent  showers  rain.  Lat  38.42  S  ;  — 
Long.  20.51  —  250  miles. 

May  4'  Sunday.  Sea  subsiding  —  going 
10  and  11  knots  —  still  with  a  strong  head 
current  against  us,  and  frequent  squalls  —  No 
probability  of  seeing  a  sail  (unless  we  over- 
take one),  until  we  get  nearly  to  Anjer,  as 
those  going  west  keep  within  a  dozen  miles  of 
the  Cape  in  going  round,  and  then  head  for 
St.  Helena  —  while  we  steer  directly  East  for 
St.  Pauls  and  then  up  to  Anjer  Point.  Had 
heavy  hail  storm  last  night,  took  in  all  the 
light  sails,  and  double  reefed  the  topsails.  Blew 
a  hurricane  all  day  and  at  night  had  to  tie  my- 
self into  my  bed  for  fear  of  suddenly  finding 
myself  on  the  floor. 

May  5.  Temperature  much  warmer  —  sea 
and  wind  quite  calm. 

May  6.  Lat.  37.25  S.  — Long.  34.07  East. 
228  miles.  Find  ourselves  about  25  miles  north 
of  yesterday's  observation,  and  much  warmer. 


HENRY  BLANEY  29 

May  7.  Lat  37.34  S.  —  Long.  37.17  E. 
158  Miles  —  quite  calm  all  the  morning,  but 
in  the  afternoon  a  7  knot  breeze  sprang  up. 

May  8.  Going  at  a  moderate  rate,  about  7 
knots,  Nothing  unusual  occurred  worth  relat- 
ing. Lat.  37.58  —  Long.  40.39  ;  —  East  7 
degrees  S.,1  165  miles. 

May  9.  Blowing  fresh  nearly  aft.  Ship  rolls 
heavily.  Mr.  A.  .  .  .  was  so  unfortunate  as  to 
get  a  lurch  to  leeward,  sprained  both  ankles, 
one  badly  —  his  mind  has  much  improved  and 
he  makes  good  company. 

May  10.  Made  12  knots  an  hour  up  to  12 
midnight  —  wind  then  died  away  to  a  calm.  7 
knot  breeze  commenced  at  8  a.m.  Made  at  12 
o'clk  224  miles ;  find  ourselves  in  Lat  39.04  — 
Long.  50.53  having  made  an  E.  3  degrees  S. 
course. 

May  11.  Sunday.  Head  the  report  1851 
of  the  Seaman's  Aid  Society  —  quote  from  the 
Title  Page  —  "  Would  you  promote  the  pres- 
ent as  well  as  the  future  happiness  of  the  poor 
—  Give  them  employment   in   the  place  of 

1  The  entry  in  the  Journal  is  written  as  above.    "  East  7 
degrees  S.,"  indicates  the  course  sailed. 


30  HENRY  BLANEY 

charity,  that  by  lessening  their  dependence  — 
You  thereby  increase  their  self-respect." 

Quote  from  Psalms  49.18  —  "Men  will 
praise  thee  when  thou  doeth  well  to  thyself." 

Quote  from  Alton  Locke  :  "  But  gin  ye  do 
weel  by  yoursel,  saith  the  Psalmist,  ye  '11  find 
a'  men  speak  well  o'  ye  —  if  ye  gang  their  gate." 

Quere !  The  Psalmist  was  minded  to  denote 
the  delights  of  spending  borrowed  siller. 

May  12.  "Weather  fine  —  jogging  slowly  — 
Such  is  life  —  Here  today  and  there  tomorrow. 

May  13.  Cloudy  —  breeze  freshening,  made 
200  miles  today  —  we  are  about  600  miles 
west  St.  Pauls  —  improving  my  leisure  time 
by  studying  Spanish  —  find  excellent  oppor- 
tunity to  practice  with  some  of  the  sailors  — 
having  nearly  every  language  on  board. 

May  lJj-.  Fine  breeze  up  to  12  M.  —  made 
285  miles  —  the  best  day's  run  since  we  have 
been  out  —  find  ourselves  in  Lat.  39.13  — 
Long.  69.59  —  Wind  died  away  at  noon. 

May  15.  Been  going  13  and  14  knots  since  12 
midnight.  At  8  a.m.  —  threw  the  log  and  ran 
the  line  entirely  off  the  reel,  going  over  14  knots 
—  strong  N.W.  wind  —  made  only  237  miles. 


HENRY  BLANEY  31 

May  16.  Passed  St.  Pauls  2  a.m.  blowing  a 
gale  —  At  daybreak,  dressed  and  went  on  deck, 
as  the  vessel  was  laboring  and  rolling  heavily, 
and  it  was  more  comfortable  on  deck  than 
below.  The  wind  was  still  blowing  a  gale,  and 
now  and  then  I  could  see  a  terrible  roller  larger 
than  the  rest  come  rushing  and  tumbling  on, 
higher  than  the  others  and  soon  the  huge  mass 
would  break  over  the  stern  or  quarter  of  the 
ship,  and  dash  her  with  terrible  force  on  her 
way,  to  be  succeeded  by  another  perhaps  still 
larger  —  who  t]»at  has  heard  once,  can  forget 
the  sea  moan  of  the  wind  in  its  rushing  course 
through  the  rigging  of  a  ship.  It  is  grand,  yet 
truly  fearful.  We  had  hardly  canvas  enough 
spread  upon  the  whole  ship  to  make  a  main 
top  sail.  The  fore  and  mainmast  each  bore  only 
a  single  sail, —  close  reefed.  The  sky  sail  yards 
were  down  —  the  boats  safely  housed  upon  the 
quarter  deck  —  not  a  man  was  aloft,  as  the 
Capt.  took  care  to  have  no  occasion,  before 
the  storm  was  upon  us.  Still  I  had  no  fear  as 
to  the  termination  of  the  gale,  for  I  had  every 
confidence  in  the  Capt.  —  and  a  trump  of  a 
fellow  he  is  too  —  He  knew  his  course,  and 


32  HENRY  BLANEY 

was  as  cool  and  collected  as  though  he  was  in 
his  own  house  ashore.  Nothing  would  have 
saved  us  had  we  but  touched  a  reef,  or  come  in 
contact  with  another  vessel  larger  than  ours. 

Made  270  miles  this  day. 

May  17.  Cold  —  raw  —  windy  day  —  made 
240  miles. 

May  18.  Sunday.  Do.  Do.  Wind  aft,  ship 
rolling  very  heavily — 236  miles  Lat.  35.17  — 
Long.  89.44. 

May  19.  Made  195  miles  —  light  west 
winds  —  getting  accustomed  to  my  sea  life  — 
comfortable  but  tedious — have  gained  about 
10  lbs. 

May  20.  Lat.  32.33  —  Long.  95.54 —Made 
only  163  miles  —  weather  very  pleasant  — 
Thermometer  67  noon  —  shade  —  Since  I 
have  been  out,  have  divided  my  day's  employ- 
ment and  recreation  as  follows  —  Arose  about 
sunrise,  —  when  the  weather  was  suitable  took 
a  salt  water  bath ;  —  walked  the  quarter  deck 
till  about  breakfast  time  —  ;  8  o'clk,  —  After 
which,  lounge  on  deck  till  about  9i  o'clk  when 
I  take  to  my  Spanish  —  study  till  about  12^ 
o'clk.  By  that  time  the  Capt.  has  worked  up 


HENRY  BLANEY  33 

his  reckoning ;  —  the  chart  is  taken  out  upon 
tlie  table,  and  we  comment  upon  the  ship's  pro- 
gress —  currents  —  winds,  etc.,  till  1  —  when 
the  steward  lays  the  cloth  for  dinner,  which,  at 
1|  o'clk  is  ready  to  be  served  up.  Which 
being  completed,  we  disperse  to  different  parts 
of  the  ship  where  our  fancy  wills  us  —  occa- 
sionally I  go  aloft  to  look  around  —  but  often 
look  in  vain  for  something  new,  —  As  far  as  the 
eye  can  reach  —  nothing  is  seen  but  one  vast 
circle  of  water,  with  myself  apparently  left 
alone  except  for  the  few  visible  beings  below 
me  —  with  here  and  there  a  stray  bird  —  it 
puts  me  in  mind  of  the  painting  of  the  last 
man,  all  others  swept  from  the  face  of  the 
earth  by  famine  and  deluge — and  there  I  sit 
for  an  hour  thinking  of  what  I  was  and  what 
I  am  —  what  I  have  been  and  what  I  will  be. 
The  rest  of  the  afternoon  I  consume  in  reading, 
having  plenty  of  books  with  me  —  some  a  pre- 
sent from  James  Lawrence  and  Mr.  Wolcott, 
and  about  $100.  worth  sent  out  by  Redding  & 
Co.,1  of  which  I  have  the  use,  with  also  a  few 

1  George  W.  Redding  &  Co.,  "  periodical  depot,"  8  State 
Street,  Boston. 


34  HENRY  BLANEY 

sent  by  Mr.  Parker  —  at  A.  A.  L.  &  Bro.  for 
his  brother  Frank.  Sometimes  when  the  weather 
is  smooth,  we  have  games  on  deck  —  joined  by 
the  Captain  and  rest  of  the  passengers  —  the 
evening  is  spent  by  spinning  yarns  on  deck, 
reading  in  the  Cabin,  or  studying  Spanish — At 
times  we  present  a  busy  group  —  Mr.  A.  .  .  . 
and  Dr.  Wiley  studying  French,  Mr.  Colder 
reading  old  sermons  and  writing  new  ones,  the 
Capt.  looking  over  his  chart,  writing  up  his 
log  —  or  reading  some  of  my  books,  of  which 
I  have  given  him  the  privilege. 

May  21.  Fine  breeze  from  the  N.W.  rather 
an  unexpected  quarter,  as  we  are  in  the  track 
of  the  S.E.  trades ;  made  230  miles  —  Lat. 
29.54  Long.  98.56 ;  have  run  since  we  left  New 
York,  12,834  miles,  and  being  68  days  out, 
have  averaged  188^  miles,  which  is  very  fair, 
considering  the  winds  we  have  had  and  not 
having  reefed  our  topsails  but  once  since  we 
have  been  out,  and  not  had  a  10  knot  breeze 
more  than  12  hours  at  a  time. 

May  22.  In  Lat.  26.16  Long.  100.56  dis- 
tance —  248  miles.  At  12  M.  going  about  12 
knots.  At  1,  —  a  shower  sprang  up  from  the 


HENRY  BLANEY  35 

south,  passed  over,  and  left  the  wind  light  from 
that  quarter. 

May  23.  At  3  a.m.  the  wind  veered  round 
to  the  S.E.,  and  at  sunrise  we  began  to  go  10 
knots  with  the  first  of  the  regular  trades  — 
The  wind  in  this  lat.  commences  to  blow  from 
that  quarter  all  the  year  round.1  As  soon  as 
the  men  had  got  their  breakfast,  they  com- 
menced clearing  up  and  washing  out  under  the 
Top  Gallant  Fore-Castle,  —  preparatory  to  get- 
ting out  the  chain  cable  and  cat-heading  the 
anchor,  which  soon  began  to  have  the  appear- 
ance of  approaching  Java  Head  :  Sun  rose  this 
a.m.  6|  o'clk  and  set  5|  o'clk. 

May  2Jf.  Weather  very  pleasant  —  at  noon 
quite  warm  ;  238  miles. 

May  25.  Sunday.  Fine  weather  with  strong 
trades;  1|-  knot  current  setting  down  New 
Holland  Straits.2  Had  it  not  been  for  that, 
should  have  made  our  best  days  work.  Made 
275  miles. 

May  26.  Wind  headed  us  off  at  midnight, 

1  That  is,  in  this  latitude  a  Teasel  enters  the  zone  of  the 
southeast  trades. 

2  New  Holland  Straits,  —  one  of  the  Eastern  Passages ;  — 
this  name  is  not  used  on  modern  charts. 


36  HENRY  BLANEY 

but  still  blew  fresh  with  squalls  —  expected 
still  to  feel  the  current  from  N.  H.  Straits,  and 
the  Capt.  was  surprised  to  find  at  noon,  when 
he  took  the  sun,  that  we  had  passed  through 
them.  The  sails  have  been  close  hauled,  and 
getting  to  windward  as  much  as  possible.  We 
are  Lat.  11.22  South  ;  Long.  104.50  E.  Made 
230  miles.  About  4  p.m.  Capt.  discovered  land 
about  4  points  on  the  lee  bow,  which  proved  to 
be  Christmas  Island  ;  he  immediately  took  the 
sun,  and  found  we  were  out  of  our  reckoning 
—  We  are  about  50  miles  further  east,  and 
about  25  miles  S.E.  of  the  Island.  To  me  it 
seemed  a  great  mistake,  but  the  Capt.  said  it 
was  quite  a  common  occurrence  to  be  from  30 
to  75  miles  out  of  the  way,  when  not  making 
land  for  so  long  a  time ;  this  being  the  first  we 
had  seen  since  leaving  N.  Yk.  It  was  favor- 
able that  it  was  to  the  windward  ;  had  it  been 
to  leeward,  would  have  given  us  a  great  deal 
of  trouble  to  have  made  J.  Head,1  as  there  is 
a  strong  current  setting  through  there  to  the 
Westward. 
May  27.  Made  Palambang  Point  at  noon 

1  J.  Head,  i.e.,  Java  Head. 


HENRY  BLANEY  37 

this  day,  distant  about  20  miles,  this  is  a 
promontory  on  the  main  land  of  Java.  Wind 
moderate  from  the  S.W.,  at  4  p.m.  died  away, 
and  left  us  becalmed  with  a  2  knot  current 
setting  to  Eastward.  This  was  rather  dis- 
couraging after  having  a  good  breeze  to  within 
30  miles  Java  Head,  to  leave  us  within  sight 
of  Anchorage.  About  sundown  the  Capt. 
set  his  course  due  W.  and  at  daybreak  found 
he  had  run  about  25  miles.  He  then  altered 
his  course  due  North  —  which  in  3  hours  car- 
ried us  within  10  miles  of  Java  Head,  a  high 
headland  which  we  could  see  very  plainly.  "We 
lay  all  day  in  about  that  position,  with  hardly 
wind  enough  to  stir  a  ripple  on  the  water,  and 
the  sun  scorching.  We  amused  ourselves  in 
catching  with  a  net,  small  shells  floating  on  the 
water,  Crabs,  water  snakes,  etc.,  —  specimens 
of  which  the  ladies  preserved.  We  had  a  rain 
squall  last  night,  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing,  and  happily  not  feeling,  the  influence 
of  a  water  spout.  It  passed  just  astern  of  us, 
and  we  could  distinctly  hear  the  rushing  of 
the  water  as  it  was  drawn  up  into  the  clouds, 
though  it  would  be  impossible  for  a  close  ob- 


38  HENRY  BLANEY 

server  to  tell  whether  the  water  went  up  or 
down  even  if  it  had  been  daylight. 

May  28.  At  daylight  Princes  Island  bore 
N.E.  16  miles  distant  —  Calm  all  day  — 
Amused  ourselves  in  the  course  of  the  day 
watching  the  water  snakes  rising  to  the  top  of 
the  water.  They  were  from  li  to  3  ft.  long, 
colored,  and  with  something  which  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  rattles  like  a  rattle  snake  —  they 
would  swim  up  to  the  side  of  the  vessel  on  the 
top  of  the  water,  and  then  swim  back  without 
turning  round,  as  though  they  had  a  head  on 
each  end  of  their  body,  and  in  fact,  they  did 
not  taper  off  at  the  tail,  but  both  ends  ap- 
peared to  be  of  equal  size. 

May  29.  In  the  Straits  Sunda  —  becalmed 
all  day  —  Very  warm.  A  man  at  the  wheel 
about  noon  today  was  sun  struck  —  he  would 
have  fallen  had  he  not  been  just  able  to  call 
out  to  the  Capt.  who  happened  to  be  upon  the 
quarter  deck.  He  was  bled  and  in  the  course 
of  the  day  entirely  recovered. 

May  SO.  At  10i  a.m.  —  hove  in  sight 
Anjer,  and  were  beset  by  a  number  of  Malay 
boats,  manned  by  from  3  to  15  wretched  look- 


HENRY  BLANEY  39 

ing  Malays,  some  of  whom  were  entirely  naked, 
who  set  up  such  a  holloing  and  jabbering  that 
it  was  difficult  for  the  mates  to  hear  the  Cap- 
tain's orders.  As  soon  as  they  reached  us  they 
fastened  their  boats  along  side,  and  were  anx- 
ious for  the  Capt.  to  trade.  He  told  them  he 
would  not  till  he  came  to  anchor.  This  did  not 
silence  them,  for  they  redoubled  their  cries  and 
yells,  when  finding  we  still  persisted  in  not 
trading  for  their  cargo  —  (which  consisted  of 
yams,  bananas,  eggs,  chickens,  cocoa  nuts,  or- 
anges, etc.,)  they  started  off  for  another  vessel 
which  was  coming  up  in  sight.  Presently  the 
principal  man  of  the  Malays  —  "  Penn  "  —  as 
he  is  called,  came  off  dressed  in  his  regiment- 
als, blue  frock  coat  with  brass  buttons  —  white 
pantaloons  fastened  over  the  hips  by  a  leather 
belt  with  a  brass  buckle.  He  is  a  small  sized, 
intelligent  looking  man,  of  about  40  years  of 
age,  and  about  as  large  as  our  George  —  He 
was  very  polite,  shook  hands  with  the  Capt. 
and  passed  his  book  to  me  to  examine.  It  is 
customary  for  all  vessels  which  stop  there  to 
insert  their  names,  where  bound,  and  the  num- 
ber of  days  from  port  of  departure,  the  names  of 


40  HENRY  BLANEY 

the  passengers,  or  any  message  which  they  wish 
to  leave  for  other  Captains  bound  up  the  China 
Sea.  Our  Capt.  had  made  a  bet  with  the  Capt. 
of  the  Ariel,1  who  was  bound  to  Canton,  on  the 
number  of  days  out.  The  forfeit  was  to  be  li 
dozen  fat  ducks.  Although  the  Ariel  left  N.  Yk. 
the  Sunday  previous  to  us,  we  arrived  at  Anjer 
before  them ;  —  not  finding  her  name  upon 
"Penn's"  books,  we  ordered  the  ducks  to  be 
paid  for  by  Capt.  Brewster  of  the  Ariel,  upon 
his  arrival  at  Anjer,  with  a  message  —  "  if  he 
caught  up  with  us  he  might  have  them."  The 
stores  we  were  in  want  of,  were  inserted  in 
"  Penn's  "  books — amounting  to  about  -$60., 
with  directions  to  get  them  off  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, as  there  were  3  ships  coming  around  the 
point,  —  1  an  American  which  the  Capt.  was 
fearful  might  prove  to  be  the  Ariel.  He  or- 
dered 5  dozen  nice  chickens,  80  cents  a  dozen ; 
20  picul  yams  similar  to  potatoes;  (picul, 
133^  lbs  ;)  onions,  bananas,  cocoa  nuts ;  (Or- 

1  "  The  Ariel,  572  tons,  was  built  by  John  Currier  at 
Newburyport  in  1S46,  for  Minot  &  Hooper,  of  Boston.  This 
ship  became  celebrated  in  the  China  trade,  and  was  bought 
by  N.  L.  &  Q.  Griswold,  and  has  a  record  of  ninety  days 
from  Canton  to  New  York." 


HENRY  BLANEY  41 

anges  poor),  Eggs,  etc.  By  the  time  the  ship 
was  anchored  and  everything  snug,  dinner  was 
ready  —  of  which  we  all  partook  lightly,  hav- 
ing lost  our  appetites  with  the  prospect  of  going 
ashore.  By  the  time  dinner  was  finished,  we 
found  one  of  the  boats  on  the  davits  ready  with 
a  flag  nicely  spread  aft.  Two  of  the  ladies  took 
their  seats,  (one  being  left  to  keep  the  baby  in 
tune,)  the  boat  lowered,  hauled  to  the  gang- 
way where  the  male  passengers  took  their  seats, 
and  with  five  oars  were  quickly  rowed  ashore, 
wh.  laid  about  a  mile  from  the  Ship.  We  passed 
in  between  two  dykes  —  about  25  feet  apart, 
formed  by  spiles  driven  into  the  mud  —  about 
20  rods,  and  landed  at  the  stone  stairs  —  we 
were  beset  by  about  50  Malays,  men,  women 
and  children — and  a  Malay  Custom  House 
officer  with  drawn  sword  — whom  I  think  could 
all  have  been  easily  disposed  of  by  a  stout  reso- 
lute American  with  a  good  stick.  We  were 
permitted  to  land  without  hesitation  by  a  word 
to  the  officer  from  "Penn."  This  port  is  the 
2nd.  in  size  of  the  three  on  the  Island  of  Java 
—  it  is  situated  on  the  west  —  Batavia  at  the 
north  —  and  Sourabaya  on  the  East.  This  is 


42  HENRY  BLANEY 

the  town  —  Sourabaya,  —  where  Mrs.  Eaton 
—  Geo.  Patten's J  sister,  resides.  Mr.  Eaton, 
as  the  principal  American  Merchant  in  the 
place,  —  has  become  wealthy,  and  intends  this 
summer  to  return  to  Mass.  and  take  up  his 
permanent  residence.  This  island  belongs  to  the 
Dutch,  and  is  manned  by  one  company  of 
Dutch  and  one  of  Malay,  with  4  heavy  Can- 
non. We  passed  over  a  bridge,  and  were  per- 
mitted to  visit  the  Fort,  barracks,  etc.  but  as 
the  Governor  was  taking  his  afternoon  nap  — 
we  were  obliged  to  be  our  own  guides.  We 
found  everything  in  the  neatest  order,  and 
would  have  done  credit  to  our  Navy  Yards.  As 
our  time  was  very  short,  we  had  to  hurry,  and 
therefore  could  not  examine  everything  per- 
fectly. We  then  recrossed  the  Canal,  and  found 
the  only  shop  in  the  place  tended  by  three 
Chinamen,  but  owned  and  under  the  direction 
of  "  Penn."  There  we  found  everything  in 
"  European  Style."  After  taking  a  glass  of 
wine,  by  the  Captain's  invitation,  we  walked 
down  the  main  road  lined  on  one  side  by  fine 

1  George  W.  Patten,  of  the  firm  of  Jamea  Patten  &  Co., 
Importers,  40  South  Market  Street,  Boston. 


HENRY  BLANEY  43 

Dutch  buildings  surrounded  by  Gardens,  and 
on  the  other  by  the  seashore,  where  we  saw  a 
bath  house  with  the  letters  of  "  Bath  House 
for  Ladies  &  Gentlemen  "  upon  it.  This  walk 
was  about  the  width,  before  it  sloped  to  the 
shore,  of  Broadway  —  N.  Yk.,  and  in  fine  order. 
We  walked  about  a  quarter  mile,  and  came 
round  to  the  stairs  through  the  Malay  portion 
of  the  village.  We  found  the  streets  very  nar- 
row, the  houses,  small,  low  and  some  of  them 
in  poor  condition.  We  saw  a  few  Cocoa  Nut 
trees,  with  tame  Buffaloes  grazing  under  them, 
as  quietly  as  cows,  and  here  and  there  a  miser- 
able looking  dog  who  looked  as  though  't  would 
take  half  dozen  of  them  to  lean  against  a  tree 
to  get  up  a  bark.  We  passed  through  a  num- 
ber of  low  sheds  which  was  called  their  market 
—  the  principal  article  for  sale  seemed  to  be 
the  Betel  nut,  which  is  chewed  by  the  natives 
the  same  as  Europeans  chew  tobacco.  We 
found  a  great  many  things  to  excite  our  curi- 
osity about  a  brick  building  in  the  course  of 
erection.  We  found  no  one  at  work,  as  it  is  a 
custom  there  to  work  early  in  the  morning  and 
late  in  the  afternoon,  to  avoid  the  hot  sun. 


44  HENRY  BLANEY 

Instead,  like  the  Europeans,  building  their  stag- 
ing on  the  outside,  they  build  theirs  on  the 
inside  which  looks  most  as  awkward  as  com- 
mencing at  the  top  and  building  down.  As  we 
passed  the  houses  some  of  the  occupants  would 
bring  articles  to  sell,  and  I  saw  a  pair  of  China 
Tea  pots  offered  to  one  of  the  ladies  for  75 
cents.  After  examining  a  few  of  the  strange 
sights,  we  passed  on  our  way  to  the  landing 
and  noticed  some  women  with  a  child  in  one 
arm,  and  leading  a  monkey  with  a  string,  and 
it  occurred  to  me  that  the  monkeys  received 
more  attention  than  the  children,  who  are  left 
to  wander  where  they  wished,  some  of  them  en- 
tirely naked.  Having  arrived  at  the  boat,  we 
put  off  for  the  ship  and  found  all  our  stores 
hoisted  on  board,  which  was  expeditiously  done 
in  the  short  space  of  an  hour.  The  boat  was 
hoisted  in  with  the  Ladies,  the  mate  directed 
to  get  sail  on  the  ship  and  weigh  the  anchor ; 
which  was  accomplished  in  a  short  time,  and 
we  passed  on  our  way  up  the  Java  Sea  be- 
tween two  small  Islands  called  the  "But- 
ton" and  "Cap,"  —  with  a  strong  10  knot 
breeze. 


HENRY  BLANEY  45 

May  31.  Fine  10  knot  breeze  up  the  Java 
Sea  —  At  daylight  discovered  2  sail  ahead  of 
us,  one  an  English  ship  which  had  been  be- 
calmed at  Anjer  about  a  week.  She  was  filled 
with  English  Troops  bound  for  Hong  Kong, 
the  same  port  as  ourselves.  At  sundown,  it  be- 
ing impossible  to  make  the  entrance  to  Gaspar 
Strait,  anchored  till  morning. 

June  1.  Sunday.  At  sunrise,  discovered 
land  ahead,  which  proved  to  be  an  Island  at 
the  entrance  of  Gaspar  Straits ;  got  under 
weigh,  and  passed  through  with  a  12  knot 
breeze  and  4  knot  current  against  us,  in  com- 
pany with  an  English  Opium  Brig.  Clipper. 
Just  before  we  got  to  the  entrance  of  the 
Straits,  the  Leadsman  in  the  main  channel 
cried  out  5  fathoms  water  (30  feet).  This  took 
us  all  aback  —  as  our  vessel  draws  about  20 
feet.  The  Capt.  instantly  ordered  the  helm 
hard  up,  and  the  water  soon  deepened  to  6  — 
7 — 10  — 15  fathoms.  We  stood  that  course 
about  two  miles,  and  then  steered  our  course 
again  through  the  Straits.  We  soon  came  up  to 
the  Brig,  passed  her  about  half  mile  off,  and 
at  sun  set  she  was  hull  down.  At  noon  passed 


46  HENRY  BLANEY 

on  the  east  side  Gaspar  Island,  and  within  a 
quarter  of  a  mile. 

June,  2.  Fine  day  —  Thermometer  99  at 
noon  —  with  a  seven  knot  breeze. 

June  3.  Passed  West  Island,  on  the  west 
side.  Near  this  place  is  where  a  Swedish  Brig, 
about  a  year  since,  was  attacked  by  Malay  Pi- 
rates in  three  boats  ;  —  two  of  them  were  sunk 
by  cannon  shots,  and  a  good  breeze  springing 
up  —  she  ran  over  and  sunk  the  third.  About 
noon  we  were  becalmed,  and  as  is  customary 
with  vessels  bound  up  the  China  Sea,  the  pow- 
der was  got  out ;  our  two  cannon  were  shotted 
and  ready  in  case  of  emergency.  This  precau- 
tion was  deemed  necessary,  more  to  satisfy  the 
Insurance  Companies  in  case  of  loss,  than  for 
self-preservation. 

June  4'  Wind  calm  —  Thermometer  90  de- 
grees—  but  felt  much  warmer  as  the  weather 
was  sultry.  My  health  A.  No.  1.  Face  getting 
quite  moon  like.  Hark  there  is  the  dinner  bell 
—  expect  to  have  one  of  the  turtles  which  was 
procured  at  Anjer  served  up  today  —  one,  the 
Capt.  is  going  to  keep  for  dinner  on  the  4th. 
July,  and  has  invited  me  to  come  down  to 


HENRY  BLANEY  47 

Whampoa  —  12  miles  from  Canton,  where  the 
vessel  lays,  to  partake  —  The  people  told  the 
Sexton  and  the  Sexton  tolled  the  bell. 

"  Dinner  ready,  Jfassa  Bany  ;  Turtle  git- 
tin*  cold." 

June  5.  Crew  busy  scrubbing  paint  inside 
and  outside.  Decks  to  be  scrubbed  and  holy 
stoned,  rigging  tarred  down,  and  the  hull  to 
be  painted  outside,  to  look  well  when  we 
arrive  in  port.  Saw  a  great  many  snakes 
such  as  I  have  described  —  floating  by  on 
the  top  of  the  water  —  some  three  or  four  feet 
long. 

June  6.  Still  calm ;  only  made  45  miles. 
Saw  a  number  Cuttle  fish  floating  by,  the  bone 
of  which  is  frequently  given  to  Canary  birds. 

June  7.  Vessel  did  not  move  at  all  last 
night,  and  at  9  a.m.  was  going  only  one  knot. 
Thermometer  at  10  a.m.  in  the  shade,  98  de- 
grees, —  getting  towards  China  weather. 

June  8.  Sunday.  Very  pleasant  weather. 
Towards  noon,  little  breeze  from  the  west  — 
made  only  twenty  two  miles. 

June  9.  Still  calm. 

June  10.  Fine  breeze  sprang  up  varying  at 


48  HENRY  BLANEY 

times  from  the  S.W.  to  S.S.E  ;  —  made  180 
miles. 

June  11.  Same  wind  —  with  frequent  heavy 
squalls.  Some  of  them  the  Capt.  said,  were  the 
heaviest  he  ever  saw.  I  took  a  shower  bath  this 
evening,  which  was  very  fine.  The  water  was 
very  luminous,  and  as  it  was  thrown  over  me 
it  seemed  like  one  sheet  of  fire.  The  vessel's 
path  was  one  broad  track  of  light,  and  to 
heighten  the  interest  of  the  phenomenon, 
crowds  of  porpoises  were  playing  about  in  dif- 
ferent directions,  their  tracks  a  living  flame. 
They  would  shoot  out,  and  leave  a  train  of 
light  thirty  feet ;  now  darting  back  and  pursu- 
ing each  other  round  and  round,  till  the  path 
appeared  a  tangled  skein  of  light. 

June  12.  Going  the  same  rate  with  a  fresh 
breeze  directly  aft,  passed  at  sunrise  three 
Chinese  Junks  bound  to  Canton.  We  were 
not  near  enough  to  speak  them  —  they  were 
going  about  4  knots  while  we  were  going 
10  knots.  This  evening  a  large  bird  of  the 
duck  species  flew  on  board,  probably  attracted 
by  our  binnacle  light.  It  was  called  a  booby. 
We  fastened  a  placard  round  its  neck  with  the 


HENRY  BLANEY  49 

ship's  name,  and  when  and  where  taken,  then 
let  him  go. 

June  13.  Capt.  took  an  observation  at  12  m. 
and  found  we  had  made  185  miles  — 190  miles 
from  an  Island  called  the  "  Asses  Ears,"  and 
230  miles  from  Hong  Kong.  Our  barometer 
had  fallen  from  29.65  to  29.30,  the  lowest  since 
we  had  been  out,  which  indicated  a  heavy 
storm.  The  skysail  and  royal  yards  were  sent 
down,  and  towards  sundown  it  began  to  blow 
fresh  from  the  S.W.  Double  reefs  were  taken 
in  all  the  three  topsails,  all  the  other  sails 
furled  and  everything  made  snug. 

June  lJf.  Still  blowing  fresh.  Just  before 
daybreak  had  a  very  severe  shower  —  at  sun- 
rise the  wind  increased  to  a  hurricane ;  we  lay 
to  under  close  reefed  topsails  till  noon,  when 
the  wind  moderated,  and  we  stood  in  shore; 
we  made  land  about  sundown,  but  as  the  heav- 
ens still  show  signs  of  a  blow,  Capt.  thought  it 
advisable  to  tack  ship  and  stand  off.  He  short- 
ened sail  so  as  to  run  about  a  knot  an  hour. 

June  15.  Sunday.  At  sunrise,  still  blowing 
fresh  and  raining  —  laid  to  till  noon,  when  we 
stood  in  shore  again,  anxious  to  get  a  pilot. 


50  HENRY  BLANEY 

The  Capt.  would  not  have  had  any  fear  of 
running  in  close  to  land  if  he  had  a  pilot,  but 
thought  it  hazardous  to  risk  it  without  one. 
The  pilots  are  frequently  seen  20  miles  from 
land,  but  as  it  had  been  blowing  heavy  a  num- 
ber of  days,  were  afraid  to  venture  out.  We 
made  the  "  Asses  Ears  "  again,  this  p.m.  Stood 
in  to  within  20  miles  of  it,  but  at  sundown  no 
pilot  in  sight  —  tacked  ship  and  stood  off 
again. 

June  16.  At  midnight  cleared  off  and  the 
moon  came  out.  Clear  and  bright ;  stood  in 
for  land  and  at  day  break  it  clouded  up  again, 
and  looked  as  though  we  were  to  have  a  repe- 
tition of  yesterday's  weather.  At  8  o'clk  a.m. 
made  the  land  again,  at  the  distance  of  20 
miles.  We  felt  quite  encouraged  at  the  pros- 
pect of  getting  a  pilot,  and  of  soon  seeing  Hong 
Kong,  but  were  doomed  to  continued  disap- 
pointment. At  11  a.m.  a  dead  calm ;  sent  up 
our  royal  and  sky  sail  yards  to  get  the  benefit 
of  the  best  breeze.  At  12  M.  the  sun  just  dis- 
cernible. Capt.  took  a  sight  and  found  us  to 
be  10  miles  from  land,  —  but  it  was  cloudy 
and  could  not  see  it. 


HENRY  BLANEY  51 

June  17.  Little  breeze  sprang  up  and  we 
stood  in,  hoping  to  get  sight  at  a  fisherman  or 
pilot.  Our  hopes  began  to  diminish,  when  the 
mate  from  the  top  gallant  forecastle  discovered 
a  boat  putting  towards  us,  this  was  quite  en- 
couraging and  we  stood  for  it,  but  a  squall 
sprang  up  and  added  to  our  innumerable  mis- 
fortunes by  shutting  it  out  from  our  view.  Soon 
it  cleared  up,  and  made  out  the  boat  about  a 
mile  ahead,  hove  to  for  us  to  come  up,  when 
they  threw  us  a  line,  and  one  of  the  party  came 
on  board,  dressed  in  India  rubber  pants,  thin 
black  linen  frock,  and  a  large  bamboo  hat 
shaped  like  a  parasol.  He  shew  the  Capt.  his 
book  of  recommendations,  and  waited  quietly 
for  him  to  state  his  wishes.  The  conversation 
was  as  follows  —  Capt.,  "  you  take  ship  in 
Hong  Kong"  —  Pilot,  "very  well — I  take 
you  in."  Capt.,  "  How  much  you  charge  ?  " 
Pilot,  "  How  much  you  pay  last  time?"  Capt., 
"  Fifteen  dollars  "  —  Pilot,  "  very  good  —  I 
take  you  safe,"  he  manifested  considerable 
shrewdness,  and  I  was  surprised  to  see  how 
intelligent  he  was. 

As  we  neared  the  land  we  noticed  several 


52  HENRY  BLANEY 

vessels  coming  out,  bound  to  Shanghae  —  Cal- 
ifornia and  England.  The  Islands  look  splen- 
didly with  the  setting  sun  shining  upon  them, 
and  had  the  appearance  of  copper.  We  ran  in 
to  within  a  stone's  throw  of  one  called  the 
Camel's  Island,  which  looked  beautiful  with  a 
heavy  stream  of  water  running  down  from  the 
top  of  the  rock.  The  wind  dying  away  but  the 
tide  setting  in,  we  kept  on  our  course  between 
the  Islands,  although  a  number  of  ships  had 
run  under  the  land,  and  anchored. 

June  18.  Just  before  daybreak,  we  noticed 
lights  ahead  on  shore,  which  our  pilot  informed 
us  was  Hong  Kong,  and  at  daybreak  we  an- 
chored within  a  half  dozen  ship's  lengths  from 
the  shore.  It  was  a  pleasant  sight  to  us  after 
being  knocked  round  on  the  water  for  92  days. 
Soon  a  boat  came  off,  and  Geo.  Haskell — son 
of  Coolidge  &  Haskell,  Boston,  and  brother  in 
Law  of  Henry  Burdett,  Boston,  jumped  on 
board,  and  I  was  glad  to  see  him  looking  so 
finely.  Instead  of  our  bringing  him  the  paper 
of  the  latest  dates,  March  13th.,  he  shew  us 
one  of  8th  of  April,  and  in  it  I  noticed  addi- 
tional trouble  with  the  negroes  of  Boston,  and 


HENRY  BLANEY  53 

Fletcher  Webster  being  arrested  for  stopping 
a  watchman  from  ringing  a  bell,  etc. 

At  8  a.m.  went  on  shore  in  a  Sampan  Boat 
pulled  by  2  women,  which  work  is  nearly  all 
done  by  them.  Presented  my  letter  of  intro- 
duction to  the  Am.  Consul,  F.  T.  Bush,  Esq., 
a  Boston  gentleman,  but  who  had  resided  in 
Hong  Kong  for  the  last  8  years,  who  soon  made 
me  feel  at  home,  and  kindly  invited  me  to  stop 
and  dine  with  him,  which  I  accepted.  Mr. 
Schwermann,  the  resident  partner  of  Wolcott 
Bates  &  Co.,  Canton,  had  been  waiting  there 
for  me  3  or  4  days,  and  had  the  day  before 
started  for  Canton  and  left  instructions  for  me 
to  join  him  as  soon  as  possible,  as  he  was  very 
busy  and  needed  assistance.  By  the  advice  of 
Mr.  Bush,  stopped  at  his  house  that  night,  and 
at  8  the  next  morning  [June  19]  started  for 
Canton  in  the  steamer,  as  I  was  fearful  the 
ship  would  be  detained  by  calms  on  the  way 
up.  At  5  p.m.  steamer  arrived  at  Canton. 
Small  boats  were  immediately  along  side,  eager 
to  take  us  ashore,  and  in  a  few  moments  more, 
with  my  trunk,  I  was  dodging  from  one  line  of 
junks  to  another  in  a  tanka  boat  similar  to  a 


54  HENRY  BLANEY 

Sampan,  with  a  screened  apartment  in  the  Cen- 
tre, and  propelled  by  two  women,  now  with 
oars  and  now  with  long  bamboo  poles,  and  now 
with  hands  as  they  seized  the  sides  of  a  line  of 
anchored  vessels  riding  in  the  stream,  until  we 
reached  the  stone  steps  in  the  garden,  and  op- 
posite the  American  Hongs  —  otherwise  called 
the  factories. 

I  soon  found  my  future  home,  and  intro- 
duced myself  to  Mr.  Schwermann,  whom  I 
found  quite  a  gentleman,  and  soon  I  felt  as 
much  at  home  as  though  I  had  resided  there 
some  time. 

Our  house  is  a  new  four  story  brick  build- 
ing, about  the  size  of  your  main  house,  with 
the  exception  of  ours  being  a  story  higher ;  and 
furnished  as  fine  as  any  house  I  have  seen  in 
Boston.  I  found  my  room  all  ready,  and  fur- 
nished at  the  expense  of  the  House,  —  all  the 
furniture  being  made  of  Camphor  Wood  which 
is  very  fine.  There  are  at  present  stopping  with 
us,  1  Spanish  Gent.,  the  Owner  of  a  ship  wh. 
we  are  loading  for  Manila,  1  German  Capt., 
and  a  Mr.  Rice,  a  Boston  Gent.,  nephew  of  the 
Burroughs,  who  used  to  reside  in  Hollis  St. 


HENRY  BLANEY  55 

June  19  {and  later).  At  dinner,  which  is  at  31 
o'clk,  Mr.  Schwermann  took  his  seat  at  one 
end  of  the  table  and  placed  me  opposite  him, 
as  my  future  seat  to  assist  him  in  doing  the 
honors.  The  3  Portuguese  under  clerks  —  dine 
at  an  earlier  hour  and  at  another  table.  I 
never  saw  a  table  better  provided  for  or  better 
waited  upon  —  by  six  Chinese  servants  sur- 
passing any  I  have  seen  in  the  U.S. 

The  sensation  of  awakening  for  the  first 
time  in  a  strange  place  is  usually  a  disagree- 
able one  with  me,  —  there  is  an  unfamiliar 
newness  of  everything  around  and  an  absence 
of  Old  Associations,  and  it  has  caused  me  to 
feel,  ever  since  I  have  arrived,  very  blue,  but 
think  I  shall  feel  differently  when  I  become 
acquainted  with  the  manners  and  customs  of 
the  place. 

The  mosquitoes  never  seem  to  tire  of  me, 
and  despise  such  proverbs  as  "  Too  much  of  a 
good  thing "  or  "  Enough  is  as  good  as  a 
feast,"  —  even  now  while  I  am  writing  I  am 
duly  armed  with  a  towel  whirling  round  my 
head  —  whack,  whack,  —  to  keep  off  the  tor- 
mentors. You  can  imagine  what  quantity  of 


56  HENRY  BLANEY 

resolution  and  perseverance  —  whack,  whack, 
—  I  take  to  pen  you  these  lines. 

I  have  made  several  visits  outside  the  Fac- 
tory walls  to  the  Chinese  shops,  and  found  a 
great  many  interesting  things.  I  visited  a  por- 
trait room,  and  saw  some  very  fine  paintings 
and  portraits  —  the  Chinese  are  considered 
fine  copyists1  and  copy  a  picture,  or  take  a 
portrait  very  faithfully.  I  heard  a  story  of  one 
of  them,  —  A  lady  was  having  her  portrait 
drawn ;  as  the  work  proceeded  she  expressed 
her  strong  disapprobation  at  the  performance. 
"  S'pose,"  said  the  painter,  "  you  smile  a  little, 
he  lookee  better  "  —  't  was  useless,  for  when 
the  pigeon  —  (difficult  for  the  Chinese  to  pro- 
nounce business,  and  they  substitute  the  Anglo- 
Chinese)  —  was  done,  her  indignation  was  so 
great  and  so  disagreeably  expressed  that  the 
irritated  artist  exclaimed,  "  If  handsome  face 
no  got,  how  handsome  can  make  ?  " 

The  effect  of  seeing  the  better  class  of 
Chinese,  the  Brokers,  who  are  dressed  in  pure 

1  Mr.  Blaney  later  commissioned  a  Chinese  artist  to  make 
for  him  a  portrait  of  Lady  Blessington.  This  painting  is 
now  in  the  possession  of  his  son,  Mr.  Dwight  Blaney,  of 
Boston. 


HENRY  BLANEY  57 

white  dresses  reaching  to  the  ground,  is  very- 
singular,  and  they  might  be  taken  for  monkeys, 
but  for  the  different  locality  of  their  tails'  ori- 
gin. 

I  have  not  seen  any  of  the  Chinese  Ladies, 
but  have  passed  them  in  their  covered  chairs 
or  Palanquins.  They  live  entirely  excluded 
from  foreign  eyes.  They  have  a  queer  habit 
on  retiring  to  rest,  of  softening  their  nails  in 
warm  water,  and  then  winding  round  their 
wrists  to  prevent  being  injured. 

The  men  and  women  are  great  opium  smok- 
ers, but  the  upper  class  here  smoke  in  secret  — 
just  as  many  an  old  lady  at  home  takes  a  quiet 
Cordial,  and  throws  the  blame  of  a  consequent 
red  nose  upon  the  effects  of  the  Sun. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  you  for  me  to  note 
the  10  commandments  of  the  Buddhists  —  the 
Chinese  principal  religion  —  the  first  five  being 
obligatory  upon  the  people  —  the  last  five  upon 
the  priesthood  only. 

1st  —  Do  not  kill  animals. 
2nd  —  Do  not  steal. 
3rd  —  Do  not  commit  adultery. 
4th  —  Do  not  tell  lies. 


58  HENRY   BLANEY 

5th  —  Do  not  drink  ardent  spirits. 
6th  —  Do  not  rise  before  daylight. 
7th  —  Do  not  eat  anything  from  midday 

till  past  midnight. 
8th  —  Do  not  sleep  on  a  place  more  than 

one  cubit  high. 
9th  —  Do  not  anoint  your  body  with  frag- 
rant oil  or  powder. 
10th  —  Do  not   look  at  a  female,  nor  at 

theatrical  exhibitions. 
The  "Samuel  Russell"  will  probably  leave 
Whampoa,  12  miles  below  Canton  —  on  the 
1st  of  July,  and  I  find  the  time  very  short  as 
I  am  very  busy,  and  must  leave  out  consider- 
able which  I  wish  to  write  you,  and  will  post- 
pone it  till  some  future  occasion. 

This,  Dear  Sally,  I  send  you  thinking  it 
might  be  interesting,  or  for  future  reference ; 
you  will  no  doubt  find  some  difficulty  in  mak- 
ing out  some  of  this  writing,  but  if  you  come 
across  any  tough  words,  skip  them  and  jump 
at  conclusions. 

Tell  George  I  want  him  to  be  sure  and  write 
me  every  chance  he  can  get — he  must  not  be 
fearful  of  writing  too  large  a  one,  as  the  ex- 


HENRY  BLANEY  59 

pense  by  vessel  is  nothing,  and  he  had  better 
take  all  parcels  to  Geo.  Patten  in  South  Mar- 
ket St.,  as  he  has  kindly  offered  to  forward  any 
packages  to  me  by  first  vessel. 

I  trust  that  you  and  the  rest  will  not  forget 
to  write  me  occasionally,  and  keep  me  posted 
up  in  the  current  events  of  the  day. 

Capt.  Bradbury,1  I  am  sorry  to  find,  does 
not  come  here  from  California,  but  goes  to 
Shanghae — Therefore  do  not  expect  to  see 
him  this  voyage. 

I  shall  keep  up  a  regular  correspondence  with 
Joseph  and  hope  soon  to  hear  from  or  see  him. 
I  wrote  you  from  Anjer  and  left  it  to  be  sent 
by  the  first  vessel  bound  home.  And  also  to 
Joseph  Whitney  —  (shall  write  to  him  again) 
and  also  to  Geo.  Patten  from  here. 

Tell  Mother  I  will  send  her  the  present  I 
promised  in  time  for  the  warm  weather  next 
summer,  as  if  I  sent  it  now  it  would  not  reach 
her  till  Oct.,  and  would  not  be  of  service  then. 

Give  my  regards  to  Molly  and  the  rest  of 

1  Captain  Bradbury  was  one  of  the  old  captains  in  the 
China  trade,  and  commanded  the  N.  B.  Palmer  for  one  voy- 
age. Later  he  was  a  commander  in  the  Pacific  Mail  Steam- 
ship Company  for  many  years. 


60  HEXRY  BLAXEY 

the  gals  —  and  tell  them  I  will  send  a  "  Cum- 
shaw'* —  present  —  one  of  these  days,  and  also 
to  Boh  Bob  if  he  is  a  good  boy. 

My  regards  to  David  —  William  —  Charles 
and  George,  and  should  be  pleased  to  receive 
a  line  from  them  at  any  time. 

Tell  Abby  I  should  not  be  surprised  to  see 
her  boy  grown  up  and  out  this  way  before  I 
come  back !  — 

In  short  give  my  regards  to  all  enquiring 
friends,  and  apologize  on  account  of  abrupt 
departure  to  those  whom  I  failed  to  call  upon. 

By  this  same  conveyance  shall  write  a  line 
to  Father. 

From  your  affectionate  Brother, 

HJE2TRY. 

As  it  is  impossible  for  you  to  send  "Spry"  to 
me  at  present,  I  hope  soon  to  have  him  with 
me  as  those  kind  of  dogs  are  a  great  prize  here. 
Ask.  if  agreeable,  to  send  a  wag  of  his  tail, 
and  give  him  an  extra  bone  to  polish  at  my 
expense. 

I  have  just  opened  a  keg  Cranberries  which 
was  sent  out  by  Mr.  Wolcott  in  the  "  Samuel 


HENRY  BLAXEY  61 

Russell"  to  Mr.  Sehwermann —  The  water  had 
leaked  out  and  they  were  consequently  de- 
stroyed. It  was  unfortunate,  as  they  would 
have  been  a  great  treat  here. 

Please  excuse  the  horrid  state  in  which  I 
send  this,  but  I  am  much  pressed  for  time  and 
cannot  copy  it. 

22  days  to  the  Line. 

50    "      "    "    Cape  Good  Hope. 

64    "      "  St.  Paul's. 

77    "      "  Anjer. 

92    "      "  Hong-Kong. 


JOURNAL  FROM  SHANGHAE  TO 
NEW   YORK 


JOURNAL 

FROM  SHANGHAE  TO  NEW  YORK 
SHIP  "MANDARIN" 

CAPTAIN  T.  C.  STODDARD 

February  18, 1853 

LEFT  Shanghae  in  a  Chinese  fast  boat  in 
company  with  Saml.  Robertson,  Esq.,  and 
J.  Lord,  Jr.,  for  the  ship  "Mandarin"  which 
had  gone  down  to  Wosung  the  day  previous. 
About  a  mile  from  Wosung  finding  Mr.  Lord 
slightly  tinged  with  the  blues,  Mr.  R.  called 
his  boat  alongside  and  he  and  myself  got  into 
it  leaving  Mr.  L.  alone,  stretched  in  an  arm 
chair  with  an  inclination  to  sleep.  Soon  after 
going  on  board  Mr.  R.'s  boat,  his  boy  spread 
a  clean  napkin  upon  the  bed,  with  cold  mutton 
chops,  Beer,  etc.  of  which  we  partook ;  our  ap- 
petites being  nicely  set.  At  1\  o'clk  arrived 
at  Wosung,  and  went  on  board  the  Opium  Ship 
"  Science  "  Capt.  Roundy,  whom  we  found  on 


66  HENRY  BLANEY 

board  together  with  C.  W.  Orne,  and  C.  M. 
Moulton,  Esqes.,  who  had  just  finished  their 
dinner  and  had  been  waiting  for  us.  The  wine 
was  passed  round,  songs  sung,  healths  drunk, 
etc.  until  10  o'clk  when  after  wishing  all  good- 
bye, with  a  pleasant  and  speedy  Voyage  in  re- 
turn, started  in  company  with  S.  Robertson, 
Esq.,  for  the  Ship  "  Mandarin  "  wh.  lay  about 
three  miles  below  the  shipping,  where  we  ar- 
rived safe.  The  wind  blowing  very  fresh  ac- 
companied with  Snow  and  Hail,  Mr.  R.,  after 
wishing  me  a  speedy  voyage,  returned  to  the 
"  Science  "  with  a  fair  wind.  I  turned  in  soon 
after  arriving  on  board  and  arose  the  next 
morning  at  8  o'clk.  The  weather  still  very  cold 
with  an  occasional  squall  of  snow. 

At  3  p.m.  at  first  of  ebb  tide  made  sail  and 
hove  up  our  anchors.  A  strong  N.  Wester 
blowing  at  6  p.m.  The  Chinese  pilot  refusing 
to  take  the  responsibility  of  going  out  that 
night,  advised  the  Capt.  to  anchor  till  morning, 
but  he  not  being  so  inclined,  hove  to,  discharged 
the  pilot,  and  started  again  to  go  outside ;  but 
at  8  o'clk  finding  it  very  dark,  thought  it  best 
to  anchor. 


HENRY  BLANEY  67 

February  19.  Hove  up  anchor  at  6  a.m.  and 
at  7,  passed  out  by  Gutzlaff  and  between  the 
Islands,  weather  very  cold,  strong  N.W.  wind. 

February  20.  Lat.  30.31 ;  Long.  122.32  ; 
Strong  N.W.  wind  and  very  cold;  made  this 
24  hours,  12  knots  an  hour.  Chinese  New 
Year. 

February  21.  Lat.  27.07  ;  Long.  121.07. 
Wind  still  blowing  strong  from  the  N.W.  At 
4  p.m.  passed  a  bark  sunk  with  all  her  masts 
standing,  4  or  5  ft.  above  water,  supposed  to 
have  sunk  recently. 

February  22.  Sunday.  Wind  changed  to 
the  N.E.  and  blowing  fresh,  the  Air  feeling 
much  warmer.  Washington's  memory  was  not 
forgotten.  Lat.  23.55 ;  Long.  118.15. 

February  23.  Lat.  21.30 ;  Long.  115.  Air 
quite  warm ;  at  5  p.m.  passed  a  ship  and  Bk. 
The  Bark  passed  within  a  pistol  shot.  At  8 
a.m.  saw  a  ship  standing  across  our  bows  ;  sup- 
posed to  be  a  whaler  bound  for  Hong  Kong. 
An  hour  after  she  was  hull  down  astern.  At 
noon  we  were  within  65  miles  of  H.  Kong. 

February  2fy.  Arose  at  daylight,  went  on 
deck  and  took  a  salt  water  bath.  The  first  I 


68  HENRY  BLANEY 

had  seen  of  salt  water  for  6  months.  The  bath 
was  truly  delicious.  Dressed  in  thin  flannels 
and  summer  clothes.  The  thermometer  had 
risen  the  last  five  days  60  degrees  —  and  quite 
a  contrast  to  what  it  then  was  at  Shanghae. 

February  25.  Lat.  15.40  ;  Long.  113.28. 
This  noon  find  we  are  about  1200  miles  from 
Shanghae,  having  averaged  since  we  left  about 
200  miles. 

Wind  very  light  from  the  N.E. 

February  26.  Arose  at  Sunrise  and  took  a 
salt  water  bath  on  deck  ;  weather  very  fine 
with  light  winds  ;  saw  large  schools  flying  fish ; 
Capt.  Stoddard  complaining  of  a  sick  head- 
ache. I  am  very  much  pleased  with  him  ;  think 
him  a  very  gentlemanly  man,  kind  to  his  men 
and  tries  to  make  every  one  comfortable  around 
him.  The  passengers  who  came  out  with  him 
the  last  voyage  are  very  much  pleased  with 
him  and  he  also  with  them ;  particularly  with 
Miss  Lydia  Nye  of  Fairhaven,  Mass.,  and  Mrs. 
Gideon  Nye,  Jr.  The  names  of  the  other  pas- 
sengers were  Rev.  Mr.  Washburn,  an  Episco- 
palian, settled  in  Newburyport,  Mr.  Geo.  Mun- 
roe,  Jr.,  formerly  a  broker  in  Exchange  St., 


HENRY  BLANEY  69 

Boston,  with  his  wife  and  two  children  and 
Miss  Linsley  of  Washington,  second  cousin  of 
Danl.  Webster.  Also  two  servant  girls,  one  of 
whom  died  ten  days  after  her  arrival  in  Shang- 
hae,  of  consumption ;  from  a  cold  contracted 
on  Shipboard.  Mr.  Washburn,  Mrs.  G.  Nye, 
Jr.,  and  Mrs.  Munroe  are  brother  and  sisters, 
and  children  of  Abiel  Washburn,  Esq.,  Dry 
Goods  Merchant  of  Boston.  Mr.  Washburn 
was  a  man  about  32  years  of  age  and  was  a 
jolly  parson ;  he  had  presided  over  a  congre- 
gation in  Newburyport  about  seven  years  and 
possessed  no  property  but  a  salary  from  the  So- 
ciety of  $800.  As  his  sisters  were  coming  out 
to  China  and  he  being  tired  of  his  society,  Mr. 
Gideon  Nye,  Jr.,  who  is  wealthy,  offered  to 
pay  all  his  expenses  out  and  home  overland 
through  Egypt  if  he  would  join  them,  which 
he  concluded  to  do.  During  the  passage  out 
and  for  want  of  something  to  employ  his  leisure 
was  very  attentive  to  Miss  Linsley  and  before 
he  arrived  out  proposed  to  her  and  was  ac- 
cepted. This  was  kept  secret  at  Shanghae  as 
Miss  L.  did  not  wish  her  Aunt  Mrs.  P.  Parker 
at  Canton  to  be  informed  of  it,  as  Mrs.  Parker 


70  HENRY  BLANEY 

imported  her  from  the  States  and  intended  her 
for  Mr.  Moore. 

About  three  weeks  after  the  arrival  of  the 
party  they  all  took  passage  for  Macao  in  the 
Bark  "  Antelope,"  Capt.  Potter ;  but  just 
previous  to  sailing  the  Rev.  at  a  supper  given 
by  Capt.  Endicott  of  the  Opium  Ship  "  Snipe  " 
at  Wosung  happened  to  get  "  how  came  you 
so  "  over  a  glass  of  old  "  Jamaica  "  and  blew 
the  whole  affair  of  the  engagement ;  this  was 
"  Nuts "  for  the  people  in  Shanghae  and  a 
story  in  China  never  loses  strength  by  Circu- 
lation. Capt.  Stoddard  says  the  Rev.  was  a 
talented  man  and  a  jolly  companion  and  no 
more  use  as  a  Christian  than  a  "  towline  in  a 
ten  knot  breeze " ;  Steward  says  he  would 
drink  his  "  three  fingers  six  times  a  day."  One 
can  judge  of  the  quantities  of  wines  and  liquors 
drank  coming  out,  by  the  extra  bill  for  those 
alone,  paid  at  Shanghae,  amounting  to  $400. 

Mr.  Geo.  Munroe  goes  out  to  Nye,  Parkin 
&  Co.,  Canton,  as  clerk,  but  Capt.  S.  thinks  it 
doubtful  if  Mr.  M.  stays  there  more  than  a 
year. 

February  29.  Sunday.  Lat.  09.07  ;  Long. 


HENRY  BLANEY  71 

110.  —  Last  night  it  being  very  warm  slept 
on  the  house  and  was  very  comfortable.  At  4 
a.m.  a  breeze  sprung  up  from  the  N.E.  and  at 
11  a.m.  was  going  9  knots.  Made  this  day  81 
miles,  passed  a  quantity  of  floating  wood  and 
weeds,  and  shellfish.  Saw  a  live  Crab  floating 
on  a  piece  of  wood  and  bound  North,  probably 
to  Canton  to  celebrate  the  Chinese  New  Year. 
March  1.  Lat.  6.18;  Long.  109.06  first 
day  of  Spring.  Thermometer  85  degrees.  At 
1  p.m.  a  slight  shower.  After  Tea  this  even- 
ing Capt.  Stoddard  related  me  a  circumstance 
which  happened  when  he  was  in  the  Ship 
"Carrington,"  John  Brown  &  Co's  Ship,  Lewis 
Whf.  (Mr.  Brown  was  lost  in  the  "Lexing- 
ton ")  Capt.  Robt.  Soule  and  Mr.  Scholfield 
partners  —  Capt.  Stoddard  was  sent  out  by 
them  to  China  from  England,  with  a  credit  of 
£100,000  on  Baring,  Bros.  &  Co.  London, 
and  was  instructed  by  them  to  purchase  Car- 
goes of  Teas  for  three  Ships  for  the  U.S.  Soon 
after  Capt.  S.  left  England,  a  ship  arrived 
from  China  (there  being  no  overland  mails 
then)  bringing  the  account  of  disastrous  prices 
for  Tea  then  ruling ;  in  consequence  of  which 


72  HENRY  BLANEY 

Baring,  Bros.  &  Co.,  sent  out  a  yacht  to  China 
to  annul  the  Letter  of  credit  but  did  not  arrive 
until  Capt.  S.  had  left  although  he  stopped  at 
Manila  several  days.  Upon  Capt.  S's  arrival  in 
Manila  was  consigned  to  Paine,  Strieker  & 
Co.,  and  from  Mr.  Gordon  Reed  (one  of  the 
partners)  he  learned  of  the  state  of  the  Tea 
Market  in  China.  He  at  once  saw  ruin  staring 
in  the  faces  of  the  Owners  by  following  their 
instructions  in  purchasing  the  three  cargoes. 
He  shew  Mr.  Reed  his  instructions  and  asked 
his  advice  ?  but  Mr.  R.  saw  no  possible  way 
to  evade  them,  there  it  was  written  in  full 
"  to  purchase  three  cargoes  of  Tea  at  the  most 
favorable  prices  "  and  at  the  same  time  he  saw 
that  if  he  did  follow  their  instructions  it  would 
be  at  a  sacrifice  in  the  U.S.  to  the  owners  of 
$300,000 :  He  did  not  know  what  to  do ;  he 
was  at  his  wit's  end,  and  almost  distracted ; 
but  at  last  concluded  to  take  the  responsibility 
and  send  home  two  of  the  ships  from  Manila 
with  Sugar  and  Hemp  and  proceed  with  his 
own  Ship  to  Canton  where  he  found  the  state 
of  the  market  much  worse  than  the  accounts 
were  at  Manila.  He  called  upon  David  Jardine 


HENRY  BLANEY  73 

for  his  advice  in  the  matter  and  he  told  him 
he  could  see  no  possible  way  to  avoid  his  in- 
structions, but  tol$  him  "  it  was  a  dead  ruin  if 
he  sent  Teas  at  that  time  to  the  U.S."  Finally 
Capt.  S.  concluded  to  take  still  more  responsi- 
bility and  send  the  ship  home  in  Ballast. 
Meanwhile  Messrs.  Brown  &  Co.  were  in  a 
deplorable  state  knowing  that  Capt.  S.  had 
his  written  instructions  to  purchase  those  Teas 
and  would  not  dare  to  do  differently,  Mr. 
Brown  being  in  England  at  the  time  would 
ask  Mr.  Bates  of  Baring,  Bros.  &  Co.  what  he 
thought  Capt.  S.  would  do?  he  told  him  he 
could  not  do  differently  than  to  buy  the  Tea. 
Mr.  Brown  was  in  Boston  when  Capt.  S.  ar- 
rived and  expected  of  course  to  find  himself 
ruined,  but  when  Capt.  S.  told  him  he  had  not 
purchased  a  lb.  of  tea  it  was  a  joyful  time  for 
all  interested,  and  what  was  still  better,  the 
two  cargoes  of  Hemp  and  Sugar  paid  a  profit, 
and  one  of  them  120,000. 

March  2.  Lat.  4.16  N.  Long.  108.46  very 
little  wind  today  and  very  warm.  At  noon  had 
a  shower  of  rain.  By  the  Chronometer  found 
we  were  only  30  miles  N.E.  Great  Natunas 


74  HENRY  BLANEY 

but  owing  to  a  thick  fog,  was  not  visible.  At 
8  bells  saw  a  clipper  barque  beating  to  the 
Northward.  Supposed  to  be  the  "  Race  Horse  " 1 
from  Bombay.  At  Sundown  passed  Flat  Island 
where  the  "  Mary  Ellen,"  Capt.  Dearborn,  was 
lost  three  years  ago. 

March  3.  Lat.  2.52  Long.  108.10  Wind 
nearly  calm.  Since  noon  we  had  been  on  the 
lookout  for  Gt.  Natunas,  although  we  were  by 
observation  only  30  miles  from  it,  and  2  p.m. 
steered  directly  for  it  and  the  mate  (Mr.  Han- 
son) was  directed  to  get  one  of  the  anchors 
over  the  bow  and  "  light  up  "  50  fathoms  chain. 
At  5  o'clk  could  just  discern  the  mountain 
upon  the  Island,  which  before  was  not  visible 
owing  to  the  fog.  At  Sundown  the  Island  bore 
directly  W. 

March  4-  At  daylight  could  just  discern  the 
mountain  astern  of  us  and  Low  Island  on  the 
Starboard  bow,  so  called  from  it  being  much 
lower  than  the  other  Islands  around  it,  although 
it  was  a  high  land  extending  about  two  degrees 


1  "  Bark  Racehorse,  —  512  tons,  owned  by  Goddard  & 
Co.,  Boston,  built  by  Sam'l  Hall  at  East  Boston  "  (see  also 
Notes). 


HENRY  BLANEY  75 

North  and  South  sloping  evenly  to  the  water 
on  both  sides.  At  4  p.m.  came  up  with  Tam- 
belan  Islands.  A  rock  about  15  miles  North  of 
the  island  rises  two  hundred  ft.  from  the  water, 
of  the  size  of  a  ship,  separated  in  two  nearly  to 
the  water's  edge,  by  a  large  gap  from  which  the 
rock  takes  its  name.  At  noon  passed  the  Tambe- 
lan  Island  and  about  Sundown  Green  Island 
bore  West.  Our  course  was  South.  The  Borneo 
Coast  was  distinctly  visible  nearly  all  day. 

March  5.  At  4  a.m.  St.  Barbe  bore  N.W. 
distance  20  miles  —  run  this  day  103  miles. 
At  5  a.m.  passed  Belvedere  Shoal  where  about 
5  years  since  the  Eng.  Ship  "Staffordshire" 
struck.  She  was  from  Shanghae  with  a  cargo 
of  Silk  and  Tea  valued  at  a  million  and  a  half 
dollars.  Soon  after  she  struck  the  Ship  "  Gen. 
Harrison"  from  Boston  for  Manila  hove  in 
sight  and  took  off  all  the  Officers  and  Crew. 
The  Capt.  of  the  "Staffordshire"  told  the 
Capt.  of  the  "  G.H  "  what  a  valuable  cargo  he 
had  on  board  and  as  he  had  abandoned  her, 
advised  him  to  anchor  within  a  |  of  a  mile  and 
fill  his  ship  which  was  in  ballast,  with  at  least 
the  bales  of  raw  Silk  as  there  was  at  least 


76  HENRY  BLANEY 

$800,000  worth,  and  his  salvage  would  be  |  of 
^  of  the  whole  Value ;  his  Owners  receiving  the 
other  | ;  but  he  refused,  as  he  said  he  should 
lose  his  character  if  he  should  stop  for  any  of 
the  cargo  and  should  happen  to  get  on  shore 
before  he  arrived  at  Manila.  He  was  blamed 
very  much  by  the  merchants  of  Manila  for  not 
filling  his  ship  with  her  Cargo,  as  it  would  have 
netted  his  owners  at  least  $400,000.  As  soon 
as  it  was  made  known  at  Manila,  a  vessel 
started  for  the  Wreck  but  found  she  had  en- 
tirely broken  up.  At  sunrise  the  faint  outlines 
of  Gaspar  Island  could  be  seen  and  as  we  were 
running  with  a  free  wind  6  knots,  by  daylight 
were  within  15  miles  of  it  on  our  starboard 
bow.  This  is  the  Island  where  Capt.  Gordon 
landed  from  the  "Memnon"1  on  Pulo  Leat. 
About  15  miles  S.W.  of  the  Island  is  a  Shoal 
on  which  Capt.  Gordon  ran  the  "Paul  Jones"2 

1  "  The  Memnon,  1068  tons,  owned  by  Warren  Delano, 
was  built  by  Smith  &  Dimon  in  1848."  She  was  "  the  only 
clipper  ship  to  make  the  voyage  to  San  Francisco  prior  to 
1850,  .  .  .  under  Captain  George  Gordon." 

2  "  The  Paul  Jones,  of  620  tons,  built  by  Waterman  & 
Elwell  at  Medford  in  1842,  was  owned  by  John  H.  Forbes 
and  Russell  &  Co.  of  China.  ...  In  1848  this  ship  made 
the  run  from  Java  Head  to  New  York  in  76  days." 


HENRY  BLANEY  77 

four  years  ago,  but  succeeded  in  getting  her  off 
after  throwing  overboard  |  of  her  cargo.  Be- 
tween Gaspar  Island  and  the  Hammocks  at 
equal  distance  lies  a  rock  about  twice  the  length 
of  a  ship  and  upon  each  end  a  tree,  which  can 
be  seen  long  before  the  rock  is  in  view  and 
which,  as  Capt.  Stoddard  says,  have  stood  as 
long  as  the  rock  has  been  known.  About  a 
mile  off  the  Southern  end  of  Gaspar  Island  is 
a  large  rock  connecting  with  the  main  land  by 
a  reef  of  rocks.  Close  in  by  this  rock  by  the 
aid  of  a  glass  I  could  distinctly  see  a  number  of 
Malay  Proas  or  boats  which  were  probably  filled 
with  Malay  Pirates  waiting  for  some  unfortu- 
nate Ship  which  was  becalmed.  It  may  have 
been  fortunate  for  us  we  were  going  8  knots. 
A  few  miles  to  the  leeward  of  us  is  a  shoal 
where  Capt.  Dumaresq  ran  the  "  Akbar"1  as 
he  was  beating  down  in  company  with  an  Eng- 
lish Ship,  and  succeeded  in  getting  off  with  the 
loss  of  his  keel.    At  8  a.m.  was  abreast  of  the 

1  "  .  .  .  the  Akbar,  a  ship  of  650  tons,  built  by  Samuel 
Hall  in  East  Boston  in  1839,  for  John  M.  Forbes,  and  others, 
. .  .  Later,  she  was  commanded  by  Captain  Philip  Dumaresq, 
who  made  a  number  of  rapid  passages  in  her  to  and  from 
China." 


78  HENRY  BLANEY 

Hammocks  on  the  Island  of  Banca  (where  the 
celebrated  Tin  is  produced)  in  Gaspar  Straits, 
and  an  hour  after  entered  Macclesfield  Straits. 
March  6.  At  10  a.m.  was  abreast  of  Pulo 
Leat  and  could  distinctly  see  the  spot  where 
Capt.  Gordon  ran  "  Memnon "  ashore  four 
months  since.  He  was  beating  down  through 
the  Straits  and  was  warned  by  his  mate  Mr. 
Fisher  that  he  was  standing  too  near  in  shore, 
and  Capt.  G.'s  reply  was,  "  he  knew  his  busi- 
ness "  —  ten  minutes  after  she  struck.  Capt. 
G.  found  it  was  impossible  to  get  her  off,  and 
he  with  his  wife  and  crew  took  to  the  boats  — 
(the  Malay  pirates  swarming  up  one  side  while 
they  were  going  over  the  other,)  —  and  started 
for  Gaspar  Island  which  lay  25  miles  north. 
The  next  day  Mr.  Fisher  (mate)  with  one  of 
the  boats  and  a  pair  of  sails  with  part  of  the 
crew  started  for  Singapore  bearing  N.W.  dis- 
tance 300  miles.  The  first  days  run  was  156 
miles  and  two  days  after  arrived  at  Singapore 
where  he  reported  the  loss  of  the  "  Memnon." 
A  vessel  was  sent  for  Capt.  Gordon  but  he  had 
put  off  8  days  after  Mr.  Fisher  in  the  other 
boat  for  a  ship  which  was  coming  down  through 


HENRY  BLANEY  79 

the  straits  bound  for  Singapore  where  he  and 
his  wife  and  crew  arrived  without  any  further 
accident.  By  the  following  mail  Capt.  G  and 
wife  started  overland  to  Boston  where  they 
belonged.  This  Island  Pulo  Leat  has  been  the 
cause  of  a  great  many  shipwrecks.  It  stands 
directly  in  the  Centre  of  the  passage  through 
which  a  5  knot  current  is  constantly  running, 
changing  its  direction  once  in  six  months  with 
the  Monsoon.  The  passage  is  about  two  miles 
wide  and  bounded  on  the  opposite  side  by  shoals. 
Two  Frigates  were  also  lost  upon  this  Island  a 
few  years  since,  (one  English  and  one  French) 
named  the  "  Alceste"  and  "Amelia."  At  noon 
we  were  fairly  in  the  Java  Sea  and  at  sundown 
the  Islands  in  and  around  Gaspar  Straits  were 
out  of  sight  astern.  This  p.m.  saw  a  large  snake 
swimming  on  top  of  the  water,  which  are  nu- 
merous in  this  sea. 

March  7.  Sunday.  At  4  a.m.  passed  two 
ships  supposed  to  belong  to  the  Dutch  Com- 
pany, at  anchor.  They  are  instructed  by  this 
Company  if  the  wind  is  ahead  always  to  an- 
chor and  not  attempt  to  pass  through  the 
Straits  of    Sunda.     At  daybreak  two  rocks 


80  HENRY  BLANEY 

called  the  Brothers  which  lay  at  the  entrance  of 
the  Straits  of  Sunda,  "  hove  in  sight,"  and  also 
the  coast  of  Sumatra  which  lay  about  14  miles 
westward.  "We  could  distinctly  see  the  trees 
upon  the  Coast,  and  long  before  daylight  a  fine 
perfume  came  off  the  land  which  was  delicious. 
We  sailed  all  this  forenoon  with  a  fine  8  knot 
breeze,  and  by  noon  expected  to  see  boats 
filled  with  fruit  coming  from  off  the  shore. 
This  was  our  only  chance  of  getting  any  stock 
here  as  the  Underwriters  do  not  allow  ships  to 
anchor  at  Anjer  during  the  N.  West  Monsoon 
(between  Sept.  and  April)  and  also  at  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope  from  Apl.  to  Sept.  as 
during  those  periods  strong  winds  blow  di- 
rectly on  shore  and  ships  would  be  in  great 
danger  of  dragging  their  Anchors.  If  a  ship 
was  lost  the  Underwriters  would  be  liable,  but 
at  the  same  time  the  Captain  would  be  cen- 
sured. At  8  bells  two  boats  were  seen  putting 
off  for  us  and  at  two  bells  we  sat  down  to 
dinner  expecting  the  bananas  and  oranges  fresh 
from  Java,  by  the  time  we  were  ready  for  our 
dessert.  At  2  p.m.  we  were  within  five  miles 
of  Anjer  and  40  of  Batavia ;  and  were  boarded 


HENRY  BLANEY  81 

by  two  boats  from  Anjer  manned  by  five  or  six 
Malays  in  each  and  filled  with  all  kinds  of 
tropical  fruits  and  birds  ;  such  as  Mangosteens, 
Mangoes,  Oranges,  Limes,  Bananas,  Plantains, 
Cocoa  Nuts,  Yams,  Sweet  Potatoes,  Parrots, 
Paroquets,  Minors,  Sparrows,  Peacocks,  etc.,  I 
purchased  a  Minor,  6  Paroquets,  and  20  Java 
Sparrows  for  two  dollars,  but  found  a  day  or 
two  after  the  Minor  required  too  much  atten- 
tion and  gave  him  to  one  of  the  Crew.  The 
Captain  purchased  a  few  piculs  of  Yams,  Sweet 
Potatoes,  and  added  a  few  dozen  of  Java  fowl 
to  our  present  Shanghae  lot.  They  were  full 
size  but  very  small  and  a  dozen  would  hardly 
make  sufficient  breakfast  for  three  persons. 
After  remaining  along  side  a  couple  of  hours 
the  ship  going  all  the  time  six  knots  the  Ma- 
lays cast  off  a  moment  before  a  rain  squall 
struck  and  were  shut  out  from  our  view.  As 
soon  as  the  squall  passed  over,  it  left  us  be- 
calmed and  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  current, 
which  was  setting  us  down  through  the  Straits 
of  Sunda,  and  towards  a  large  rock  on  the  edge 
of  the  Channel,  the  east  side  of  which  connects 
with  the  Island  called  "  Thawt  the  Way  "  by  a 


82  HENRY  BLANEY 

reef  covered  in  some  places  by  only  17  feet  of 
water ;  our  ship  drawing  15  ft.  8.  Towards  this 
rock  and  reef  a  four  knot  current  was  setting 
us,  and  for  an  hour  there  was  considerable 
anxiety  on  board  of  the  Ship  for  our  safety. 
By  the  chart  we  knew  there  was  no  anchorage 
short  of  Seventy  fathoms  except  close  in  to  this 
reef,  and  we  were  fearful  the  current  would  set 
us  where  there  was  less  water  than  we  drew. 
Within  the  last  ten  years  several  ships  had 
touched  upon  this  reef  and  two  of  them  belong- 
ing to  a  Boston  house,  John  Brown  &  Co.  — 
and  drawing  less  water  than  our  ship ;  one  of 
them  taking  a  piece  of  the  reef  weighing  133 
lbs.  home  with  her.  But  we  fortunately  passed 
over  without  touching.  At  7  o'clk  p.m.  we  were 
exactly  opposite  Anjer  and  were  again  boarded 
by  three  Malay  boats  filled  with  live  stock,  etc., 
part  of  which  the  Capt.  purchased.  When  the 
boats  came  along  side  the  leader  jumped  on 
board  with  his  book  in  which  the  name  of  every 
vessel  that  passes  is  placed  together  with  any 
information  which  might  be  of  benefit  to  ves- 
sels following.  I  noticed  the  "Flying  Cloud" 
had  passed  a  few  days  before  us,  6  days  from 


HENRY  BLANEY  83 

Hong  Kong  which  is  the  shortest  passage  by  6 
days  on  record.  This  same  vessel  sailed  from  New 
York  to  San  Francisco  in  89  days,  the  quickest 
trip  ever  made  from  port  to  port.1  I  noticed  the 
"  Lantao  "  Capt.  Bradbury  passed  30  Octo.  27 
days  from  Shanghae,  and  with  his  memoran- 
dum of  5  piculs  Sweet  Potatoes,  5  piculs  yams 
and 2  dozen  fowls  —  The"  Oriental  "  27  days, 
"Tartar  "  12  days,  "  Adelaide  "  17  days,  and 
our  own  ship  "Mandarin"  17  days,  all  from 
Shanghae. 

March  8.  Becalmed  all  day  wdthin  sight  of 
Anjer  off  Cockatoa  Island,  a  beautiful  pyra- 
midal shaped  hill,  the  summit  of  which  is  fre- 
quently obscured  by  clouds  half  way  to  its  base. 

March  9.  At  daylight  Cockatoa  still  in  sight 
and  bearing  North.  Lat.  6.10;  Long.  105.20. 
Strong  currents  setting  into  the  Straits.  At  8 
p.m.  Cockatoa  bearing  N.E.  by  N.  distance  10 
miles. 

March  10.  Lat.  6.43 ;  Long.  104.30.  At 
4  p.m.  Cockatoa  bearing  east  by  north.  Princes 

1  The  record  of  the  Flying  Cloud,  quoted  above,  was  made 
in  1851,  and  in  1854  she  duplicated  her  earlier  performance. 
The  Andrew  Jackson,  in  1860,  was  the  only  other  clipper 
ship  to  equal  this  record. 


84  HENRY  BLANEY 

Island  S.S.  East.  At  noon  by  observation  45 
miles  from  Java.  Light  winds.  .  .  . 

March  11.  Lat.  7.30;  Long.  102.21.  Fine 
breeze  from  the  South  East,  with  studding  sails 
all  set. 

March  lJf.  Sunday.  Lat.  11 ;  Long.  92.25 
—  frequent  rain  squalls  —  made  216  nils.  On 
Sunday  the  men  are  left  entirely  to  their  own 
inclinations;  the  greater  portion  of  them  are 
sitting  round  forward,  and  upon  the  forecastle, 
dressed  in  white  and  blue  pantaloons,  clean 
shirts,  etc.,  some  are  reading,  others  are  spin- 
ning long  yarns,  or  playing  with  monkeys  and 
birds.  Occasionally  Jacko  would  cause  a  laugh 
among  the  Crew,  by  some  of  his  pranks,  but 
the  merriment  could  scarcely  be  heard  aft,  and 
all  were  aware  that  the  Captain  respected  the 
Sabbath,  and  though  indulgent,  would  not  al- 
low any  unnecessary  noise  or  bustle.  One  Sun- 
day afternoon  Jacko  was  amusing  the  boys  at 
the  expense  of  the  black  Cook,  by  lying  in  wait 
for  him  over  his  galley,  and  whenever  he  made 
his  appearance  dropping  some  article  upon  his 
head  and  escaping  to  the  rigging  beyond  his 
reach  and  rage.  This  afternoon  I  speak  of,  the 


HENRY  BLANEY  85 

wind  was  blowing  very  fresh  and  Jacko  was 
upon  the  top  of  the  galley  with  a  large  board 
ready  to  launch  upon  his  victim,  the  poor  Cook, 
between  whom  there  had  been  existing  a  mortal 
enmity.  But  the  Cook  was  equally  upon  the 
watch  and  armed  with  a  dipper  of  hot  water, 
had  his  eye  upon  Jacko  when  he  little  thought 
it.  Suddenly  the  Cook  jumped  out  of  the  lee 
side  of  the  galley  and  threw  the  hot  water  at 
Jacko  with  a  most  malicious  spirit  and  deter- 
mination, but  Jacko  was  too  quick  for  him.  Up 
flew  the  board  as  a  shield  and  back  flew  the 
hot  water  into  the  Cook's  face  which  made  him 
curse  and  swear  like  a  "  Davy  Crockett "  at 
being  foiled  by  a  monkey.  But  Jacko  was  not 
to  be  bluffed  off.  He  seemed  determined  to  get 
a  lick  at  the  Cook's  head  before  he  left  his  post. 
By  this  time  all  hands  had  congregated  around 
the  galley  to  witness  the  sport,  and  encouraged 
the  Combatants  with  roars  of  laughter.  The 
Captain  and  niyself  were  upon  the  quarter  deck 
where  we  could  distinctly  see  the  whole  perform- 
ance. The  Cook  now  armed  himself  with  an- 
other dipper  full  of  scalding  hot  water,  and,  as 
"  Titus  Andronicus  "  says  in  the  play,  "  Yenge- 


86  HENRY  BLANEY 

ance  is  in  his  heart  and  Death  in  his  hand," 
mounted  a  cask  on  the  weather  side  and  aimed 
the  whole  contents  at  Jacko's  body,  but  missed 
him  again,  for  the  monkey  saw  him  in  time  and 
dodged,  and  the  poor  Carpenter  who  was  stand- 
ing on  the  other  side  of  the  galley  with  his 
neck  stretched  out  at  full  length  and  on  tiptoe, 
and  enjoying  the  fun,  received  the  whole  con- 
tents in  his  bosom.  This  was  too  much  for  the 
Cook  and  he  darted  up  on  to  the  galley  armed 
with  a  huge  cudgel,  and  with  one  blow  stretched 
Jacko  flat  and  apparently  lifeless ;  but  he  soon 
recovered  himself  and  ever  after  gave  the  Cook 
and  Galley  a  wide  berth. 

March  18.  Lat.  16.32  ;  Long.  78.08  At  10 
a.m.  the  wind  died  away  to  a  calm.  At  3  p.m. 
signs  of  a  squall  from  the  South  East,  sails 
reduced  to  reefed  topsails  and  mainsail,  At  1 
past  3  the  squall  struck  accompanied  with  rain. 
The  stanchion  supporting  the  wheel  awning  was 
carried  away,  and  came  down  upon  the  head  of 
the  man  at  the  wheel.  This  was  a  very  severe 
squall  and  the  rain  came  down  with  great  vio- 
lence and  lasted  till  6  p.m.  when  the  Sun  set 
clear.  Thermometer  fell  from  84  degrees  to  76 


HENRY  BLANEY  87 

degrees.  At  6i  shook  the  reefs  out  of  the  top- 
sails and  set  the  spanker.  Ship  going  11  knots. 
Capt.  Stoddard  much  troubled  with  the  ery- 
sipelas which  has  broken  out  today  all  over  his 
head  and  body.  This  p.m.  is  so  bad  as  to  scarcely 
see.  He  is  a  religious  man  and  reads  his  chap- 
ter in  the  Bible  every  morning  and  evening. 
Is  an  agreeable  companion  and  I  am  very  much 
pleased  with  him. 

March  19.  Light  winds  all  the  forenoon. 
A  squall  came  on  just  before  12  o'clock.  No 
observation.  At  li  o'clk  a  very  severe  rain 
squall  struck  us  and  it  seemed  as  though  100,000 
cisterns  had  burst  above.  At  one  time  there 
was  six  inches  of  water  upon  the  decks,  and 
when  the  ship  lurched  to  leeward  it  sounded 
like  a  cataract.  Some  of  the  men  rubbed  them- 
selves over  with  soap  and  in  a  few  moments 
were  perfectly  white  with  foam. 

March  20.  Lat.  18.35  ;  Long.  73.56.  Light 
winds  aU  day.  Made  only  93  miles.  At  2  p.m. 
had  a  heavy  rain  squall  from  the  N.N.E.  This 
P.M.  one  of  the  men  harpooned  a  "  Bonito  " 
under  the  bows  —  and  the  next  morning:  had 
him  served  up  fried  for  breakfast.  It  was  truly 


88  HENRY  BLANEY 

delicious.  When  taken,  it  much  resembled  a 
large  Mackerel  and  was  about  the  size  of  a  full 
grown  Haddock.  Today  the  steward  gave  us  a 
Clam  Chowder  for  dinner.  It  was  very  nice  but 
did  not  taste  as  good  as  I  have  tasted  at  home. 

March  21.  Sunday.  Lat.  19.43 ;  Long. 
71.55  — made  126  miles.  Light  winds  and  fine 
weather.  Had  a  heavy  rain  squall  last  night. 
"  Jacko's  fat  all  in  the  fire  today."  While  his 
friend  the  Cook  was  boiling  doughnuts,  Jacko 
would  dive  into  the  galley  while  his  back  was 
turned,  and  run  off  with  some,  which  the  Cook 
noticed  and  laid  a  trap  for  him.  He  took  off 
the  kettle  from  the  fire  with  the  fat  simmering 
hot,  placed  it  outside  where  Jacko  could  see  it, 
leaving  a  solitary  doughnut  swimming  upon  the 
surface.  No  sooner  had  he  turned  his  back 
when  Jacko  pounced  upon  it.  Fire  and  Furies  ! 
did  n't  he  scream  ?  while  the  Cook  roared  with 
laughter  till  his  opened  mouth  looked  like  a 
thrown  back  Chaise  top.  Poor  Jacko  did  not 
get  over  that  scald  for  several  days  and  I 
really  believe  the  cook  freely  forgave  him  for 
all  the  tricks  he  had  cut  upon  him. 

March  22.   Lat.  20.36  ;  Long.  70  degrees. 


HENRY  BLANEY  89 

Made  120  miles  —  been  going  along  this 
morning  only  five  knots  and  very  little  prospect 
of  getting  home  in  90  days.  This  noon  find  we 
are  three  thousand  miles  from  the  Cape  Good 
Hope.  At  4  p.m.  saw  a  large  English  ship  ten 
miles  off  our  larboard  beam  and  standing  for 
us.  She  had  no  studding  sails  or  royals  set,  and 
evidently  had  encountered  bad  weather  off  the 
Cape.  She  was  probably  bound  for  Calcutta,  or 
some  of  the  other  ports  in  India.  As  soon  as 
she  came  up  within  5  or  6  miles  of  us  she  ran 
up  her  English  Ensign,  and  we  answered  her 
with  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  She  then  hauled 
down  her  ensign  and  hoisted  up  her  numbers, 
but  as  we  had  none  of  Marryat's  Signals 
could  not  find  out  her  name  or  inform  her  of 
ours.  I  took  a  memorandum  of  her  signals  to 
report  at  St.  Helena.  We  hoisted  our  name 
which  was  sewed  in  large  blue  letters  on  a 
white  ground  but  think  it  doubtful  if  they 
could  read  it.  Two  hours  later,  a  squall  shut 
her  from  our  sight. 

March  23.  Lat.  21.34 ;  South.  —  Long. 
67.42  East.  Last  night  experienced  a  severe 
rain    squall,   but  this  morning  the   sun  rose 


90  HENRY  BLANEY 

bright  and  unclouded.  Last  night  saw  the 
moon,  which  was  two  days  old,  go  down  about 
seven  o'clock.  The  sun  crossed  the  Equator 
on  the  20th  inst.  and  the  two  occurrences  of  the 
Sun  and  Moon  happening  so  close  together  the 
Captain  thought  betokened  unusually  strong 
winds  at  the  Cape.    Made  today  131  miles. 

March  2Jf  Fine  breeze  and  pleasant  weather, 
with  studding  sails  out  on  both  sides. 

Lat.  22.58  South  —  Long.  65.26  —  33  days 
out  —  made  this  day  158  miles. 

March  29.  Lat.  25.32.  Long.  55.07  made 
159  miles.  Studding  sails  set  on  both  sides. 

April  3.  Lat.  28.16  —  Long.  43.12  —  made 
184  miles. 

At  daylight  saw  an  English  ship  astern, 
probably  from  Calcutta,  and  another  ship  off 
the  lee  bow.  Both  standing  the  same  course 
with  us.  We  had  been  sailing  close-hauled,  the 
ship  astern  had  been  sailing  with  the  wind  free. 
As  soon  as  she  came  within  four  miles  of  us, 
she  hauled  close  on  the  wind.  The  ship  to  the 
Leeward  of  us  at  daylight  had  her  top  gallant 
sails  and  royals  furled,  but  at  7  o'clk  had  all 
sails  set.  At  8  a.m.  altered  our  course  from 


HENRY  BLANEY  91 

S.W.  by  West,  to  West  |  South.  At  9 
o'clk  the  wind  moderated  to  6  knots.  Had  been 
going  9  knots  all  night.  We  are  now  about 
100  miles  south  of  Cape  St.  Mary,  on  Mada- 
gascar. 

April  4'  Sunday.  At  8  a.m.  nearly  a  calm. 
One  ship  was  about  three  miles  astern  of  us, 
the  other  on  the  lee  bow  about  5  miles,  both 
apparently  English  Ships  from  Calcutta.  I 
was  in  hopes  we  should  be  close  to  them  at 
daylight,  so  as  to  board  them  and  get  a  few 
papers,  as  they  would  most  likely  have  a  later 
mail  than  ourselves,  and  also  attend  service 
which  English  ships  are  obliged  to  have  at 
sea,  by  Law,  when  a  certain  number  of  men 
are  onboard.  At  8|  o'clk  we  set  our  ensign  in 
answer  to  the  ship  on  the  lee  bow.  Soon  after 
she  altered  her  course  with  the  evident  wish  to 
speak  us.  At  1  p.m.  we  are  becalmed  and  4 
miles  distant  from  one  of  the  ships  and  6  from 
the  other. 

They  are  both  large  Ships  and  resemble  those 
belonging  to  Green  &  Co.,  of  London,  who  are 
the  largest  ship  owners  in  the  world.  Brockle- 
bank  of  Liverpool  is  owner  of  more  ships  than 


92  HENRY  BLANEY 

Green  &  Co.  but  not  so  many  Tons.  At  6  p.m. 
a  strong  north  west  breeze  sprang  up.  At  9 
p.m.  the  ship  astern  was  out  of  sight  and  the 
other  abeam.  We  are  going  9  knots  although 
sharp  on  the  wind. 

April  5.  At  daylight  wind  blowing  a  gale 
from  the  South  West  with  a  very  heavy  sea 
from  the  same  direction.  Both  of  the  ships  out 
of  sight  astern.  At  10  a.m.  the  wind  still  blow- 
ing a  gale.  An  effort  was  made  to  set  the  jib, 
but  hardly  had  they  completed,  when  it  was 
blown  to  atoms,  and  several  men  were  ordered 
to  go  out  on  the  jib  boom  to  take  in  the  rem- 
nants, in  doing  which  one  of  the  men,  named 
Aleck,  fell  overboard.  Several  men  with  the 
Captain  and  mate  were  upon  the  jib  boom  and 
forecastle  at  the  time,  and  saw  him  fall.  In- 
stantly the  Cry  was  raised  of  "  Man-overboard !" 
The  thrill  and  terror  of  those  words  at  Sea, 
and  in  a  Gale  of  wind  can  better  be  imagined 
than  described.  I  had  an  attack  of  sea  sick- 
ness that  morning  and  was  lying  on  the  tran- 
som in  the  after  cabin  when  the  cry  was  raised. 
I  rushed  upon  deck  and  found  every  one  in  the 
greatest  excitement  and  everything  in  confu- 


HENRY  BLANEY  93 

sion.  Capt.  Stoddard  was  yelling  his  orders 
"  to  hard  down  the  helm "  and  swinging  his 
arms  wildly  to  enforce  his  commands,  but  never 
does  Jack  work  more  willingly  than  when  one 
of  his  ship  mates  is  in  danger.  Although  we 
were  going  9  knots,  owing  to  the  head  sea,  she 
refused  to  come  about.  He  then  tried  to  wear, 
but  she  refused  to  do  either.  At  the  first  cry, 
Mr.  Hanson,  the  mate,  rushed  aft,  and  cut 
adrift  the  life  preserver  which  had  fortunately 
been  lashed  over  the  rail  astern  in  case  of 
emergency.  Although  the  man  was  some  ways 
astern,  and  burdened  with  his  thick  boots,  he 
swam  about  the  length  of  the  ship  to  the  life 
preserver,  and  fortunately  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing it.  The  Captain,  finding  it  impossible  to 
put  the  ship  about,  or  wear,  ordered  the  top- 
sails to  be  backed,  as  the  man  could  be  seen 
from  the  top  of  the  quarter  rail,  about  a  mile 
astern.  Meanwhile  some  of  the  men  were  get- 
ting out  one  of  the  Life  Boats  from  the  top  of 
the  house.  After  some  difficulty  in  getting  it 
over  the  side  and  down  into  the  water,  there 
being  great  danger  of  staving  it  to  pieces  by 
the  heavy  sea  running,  two  men  with  the  2nd 


94  HENRY  BLANEY 

mate  got  into  it  and  pushed  off.  The  man  was 
then  about  a  \  mile *  off,  nearly  astern,  and  I 
could  with  difficulty  keep  track  of  him.  Now 
he  would  be  upon  the  top  of  a  high  wave,  and 
then  for  several  moments  lost  to  view  in  the 
hollow  of  the  sea.  After  rowing  about  ten  min- 
utes and  expecting  every  moment  to  see  the 
boat  fill,  they  succeeded  in  reaching  the  man 
and  getting  him  on  board  the  boat,  and  brought 
him  safely  on  board  the  ship.  It  was  a  very 
narrow  escape  for  the  poor  fellow,  and  had  it 
been  in  the  night  time,  it  would  have  been  im- 
possible to  save  him.  Upon  attempting  to  walk 
after  we  had  got  him  on  deck,  he  found  his  leg 
pained  him,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could 
use  it.  When  he  fell  he  went  down  head  first 
and  caught  his  leg  upon  one  of  the  bowsprit 
stays.  Although  his  leg  was  scraped  and  bruised 
very  badly,  it  was  not  considered  dangerous. 
Just  before  the  boat  reached  him  a  large  Al- 
batross, which  had  been  hovering  over  his  head, 
lit  upon  the  water  within  a  few  feet  of  him, 

1  There  seems  to  be  a  discrepancy  in  the  matter  of  the 
distance  between  the  ship  and  the  man  overboard  ;  —  the 
text  of  the  manuscript  is  followed  as  written. 


HENRY  BLANEY  95 

and  when  the  boat  came  up  he  started  with  a 
scream  at  being  deprived  of  an  anticipated 
meal.  The  day  before  this  occurrence,  Aleck 
and  Frank  had  an  angry  tussle  together  and 
had  not  spoken  to  each  other  since ;  but  when 
Aleck  fell  overboard  Frank  was  the  first  to 
jump  into  the  boat  to  save  him,  and  came  aft 
for  several  days  afterwards  to  get  medicine  and 
salve  for  him.  Lat.  29.05  ;  Long  39.48. 

The  Gale  continued  all  day,  and  the  sea  ran 
very  high.  I  have  heard  of  the  sea  running 
mountains  high,  and  have  had  a  curiosity  to 
see  it  in  its  most  angry  state.  No  where  in  the 
world  does  the  Sea  run  so  high  as  at  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  and  never  have  I  seen  it  more 
than  12  or  15  feet  high  as  near  as  I  could 
judge.  Capt.  Stoddard  says  the  height  of  the 
highest  wave  on  record,  measured  from  the 
shore,  is  15  feet  from  the  level  of  the  water ; 
not  measuring  the  hollow. 

April  6.  Lat.  29.54  ;  Long.  37.32  —  made 
160  miles.  Strong  gales  with  a  head  sea.  At 
sundown  wind  moderated,  and  set  all  the  stud- 
ding sails.  46  days  out. 

April  7.  Lat.  31.28;  Long.  33.46  — made 


96  HENRY  BLANEY 

225  miles.  Strong  N.W.  wind.  This  day  was 
a  disagreeable  one.  The  ship  pitched  and 
plunged  bows  under,  and  it  was  with  difficulty 
I  could  keep  my  feet.  At  our  meals  we  were 
obliged  to  hold  on  with  one  hand  and  eat  with 
the  other.  Now  and  then  a  dish  of  something 
would  fetch  away,  and  bring  up  in  the  lap  or 
bosom  of  one  of  us.  At  midnight  the  wind  sud- 
denly changed  to  the  West  and  blew  as  it  had 
from  the  N.  West. 

April  8.  Today  we  make  but  very  little 
progress  as  we  are  jammed  hard  on  the  wind. 
Soon  after  breakfast  we  saw  a  large  ship  on 
our  lee  bow,  standing  on  the  opposite  tack. 
She  like  ourselves  was  bound  round  the  Cape. 
At  noon  we  tacked  to  the  North,  and  at  4  p.m. 
was  abreast  of  her  about  three  miles  to  the  lee- 
ward. She  was  an  Eng.  Ship  of  about  1200 
tons  and  heavily  loaded.  Lat.  33.08 ;  Long. 
30.32. 

April  9.  At  noon  this  day  we  saw  the  coast 
of  Africa,  and  by  Chronometer,  found  we  were 
50  miles  from  Buffalo  River,  in  Lat.  32.42  ; 
Long.  29.32.  Today  Joe  the  Cowboy  found 
twenty  hens'  eggs  in  the  coop,  which  were  all 


HENRY   BLANEY  97 

laid  today.  Very  few  farmers  in  New  England 
can  boast  of  a  better  lot  of  Fowls  than  we  have 
on  board.  The  principal  part  were  bought  in 
Shanghae,  the  rest  in  Java.  We  are  now  out 
49  days.  While  we  were  at  dinner  today,  the 
2nd  mate,  Mr.  Delano,  hooked  a  shark  and 
with  the  assistance  of  some  of  the  men  hauled 
him  on  board.  He  measured  ten  feet,  which  is 
much  longer  than  they  average.  He  was  cut  up 
and  divided  among  the  men.  One  claiming  the 
back  bone,  another  the  jaw  bone,  and  Mr.  Han- 
son the  fins,  which,  when  made  into  a  soup  by 
the  Chinese,  is  considered  one  of  the  best  Man- 
darin dishes.  On  the  voyage  out,  Mr.  Hanson 
collected  about  30  fins,  and  exchanged  them  at 
Shanghae  for  a  chest  of  Tea  and  several  pieces 
of  Silk.  At  3  p.m.  the  wind  shifted  to  the 
South,  but  soon  after  died  away  calm,  with  a 
current  from  the  South  West  setting  us  to- 
wards the  African  coast  which  we  could  see 
very  plainly  on  our  lee,  distant  about  30  miles. 
This  part  of  the  Coast  is  unsettled  by  foreign- 
ers, and  is  inhabited  by  savage  Hottentots, 
from  whom  we  should  receive  but  very  little 
mercy  should  they  get  us  in  their  power.  Today 


98  HENRY  BLANEY 

I  saw  a  "  Thrasher,"  the  chief  enemy  of  the 
whale.  He  jumped  nearly  his  length  perpendic- 
ular out  of  the  water.  I  should  think  he  was 
about  20  feet  long. 

April  10.  We  have  been  becalmed  nearly 
all  day,  with  the  exception  of  a  run  of  20  miles 
last  night  in  the  middle  watch.  The  current 
close  in  shore,  sets  to  the  westward  nearly  all 
the  year  round.  The  last  24  hours  we  have 
made  127  miles,  which  shows  a  current  in  our 
favor  of  107  miles.  At  the  time  of  writing  this, 
we  are  just  in  sight  of  the  land,  and  steering 
S.S.W.  with  a  light  breeze  from  the  South, 
and  a  heavy  swell  from  the  westward.  By  the 
chart,  we  are  about  110  miles  to  the  Eastward 
of  Port  Elizabeth,  and  500  Miles  from  Cape 
Good  Hope.  This  a.m.,  while  I  was  aloft  on 
the  main  topsail  yard,  saw  a  vessel  directly 
ahead  and  apparently  coming  toward  us.  An 
hour  afterwards  she  was  abeam,  and  proved  to 
be  an  English  Brig,  from  the  Cape  Good  Hope 
and  bound  to  some  of  the  ports  on  the  African 
Coast.  She  was  about  as  poor  a  specimen  of 
an  English  vessel  as  I  ever  saw  and  looked  as 
though  she  had  been  keeping  company  with 


HENRY  BLANEY  99 

the  "  Flying  Dutchman."  Her  sails  were  in 
miserable  repair  and  in  her  main  top  gallant 
sail  was  a  hole  large  enough  to  put  a  hogshead 
through.  Even  her  ensign,  which  she  hoisted 
as  we  passed,  was  rent  the  whole  length.  It  is 
somewhere  in  this  vicinity  that  the  fable  of  the 
"  Flying  Dutchman  "  originated.  The  magical 
appearance  that  an  iceberg  (which  are  seen 
here  in  Nov.  and  Dec.)  sometimes  exhibits  by 
the  radiance  of  the  sun,  when  viewed  at  a  con- 
siderable distance,  possibly  might  have  been 
experienced  by  some  of  the  early  navigators 
when  passing  the  Cape  Good  Hope  and  there- 
by have  arisen  the  Fable.  At  noon  the  wind 
came  out  from  the  South  West  and  jammed  us 
close  on  the  wind.  Lat.  33.59  ;  Long  27.41. 
April  11.  Sunday.  Very  squally  weather  all 
day  with  the  wind  ahead.  Here  there  is  a  vari- 
ation from  the  true  north,  of  26  degrees  west, 
in  the  compass,  which  is  accounted  for  by  the 
attraction  of  the  earth.  At  New  York  there  is 
a  variation  of  ^  point ;  at  Boston  of  li  points. 
In  the  China  Sea  there  is  none.  Here  near  the 
Cape  of  21  points  nearly,  or  26  degrees  (11| 
degrees  to  a  point).  To  find  the  true  north 


100  HENRY  BLANEY 

from  the  magnetic  north,  when  the  variation  is 
west,  count  to  the  left,  when  east  to  the  right. 
Near  an  island  in  the  Gulf  of  Finland  the 
compass  flies  round  and  round,  and  in  another 
part  of  the  Gulf  stands  perfectly  still.  At  the 
Island  it  is  accounted  for  by  the  minerals  and 
metals  of  which  it  is  composed.  This  day  we 
are  in  Lat.  35.03.  Long.  25.04. 

April  12.  Lat.  35.34 ;  Long.  23.14.  Last 
night  we  had  squally  weather  with  a  heavy 
head  sea.  Shipped  a  heavy  sea  forward  and 
aft  at  the  same  time,  and  floated  everything 
about  the  decks,  which  was  not  lashed  down. 
The  noise  was  very  heavy  and  sudden,  and 
awoke  me  from  a  sound  sleep.  At  the  same 
time  the  heel  of  the  Jib  boom  was  carried 
away.  The  Steward  awoke  the  Captain,  and 
very  innocently  told  him  the  heel  of  the  "Fly- 
ing Jib  "  was  carried  away.  This  last  24  hours 
we  made  94  miles,  which  distance  was  nearly 
all  gained  by  the  force  of  the  current.  We 
are  about  260  miles  from  the  Cape  Good  Hope. 

April  13.  Lat.  35.11 ;  Long.  22.08  —  72 
miles.  Last  night  we  were  on  Agulhas  Banks, 
and  during  a  calm  the  mate  caught  three  fish ; 


HENRY  BLANEY  101 

Two  Groupers  and  one  Lance.  One  of  the 
groupers  weighed  120  A  lbs.  When  fried  for 
breakfast,  and  made  into  a  chowder  for  dinner, 
they  are  delicious,  and  resemble  the  Haddock 
caught  on  our  Coast.  These  fish  swim  on  the 
bottom  to  avoid  the  sharks  which  are  very- 
numerous  on  these  banks,  and  the  depth  of 
the  water  where  these  fish  were  caught  is  60 
fathoms.  This  a.m.  the  wind  came  out  from 
the  East,  but  with  a  heavy  swell  from  the 
South  west,  and  could  make  but  little  progress. 
By  tomorrow  night  we  are  in  hopes  to  be  round 
the  Cape.  At  sundown  the  wind  is  strong  from 
the  east,  and  sending  us  through  the  water 
10  knots  an  hour,  and  we  can  distinctly  see 
Cape  Agulhas  bearing  North,  distant  45 
miles. 

April  llf.  Last  night  the  wind  came  out 
from  the  N.  West  and  directly  ahead.  At  noon 
today,  by  observation  we  are  in  Lat.  35.55  ; 
Long.  18.48  and  directly  south  the  Cape  Good 
Hope,  distant  85  miles.  The  wind  still  blowing 
fresh  from  the  course  we  want  to  head.  At 
sundown  the  wind  blowing  a  gale,  and  our  ship 
with  the  least  possible  sail  on  her.    At  8  p.m. 


102  HENRY  BLANEY 

the  wind  hauled  to  the  West.  Altered  our 
course  to  the  Northward. 

April  15.  Wind  blowing  fresh  with  a  heavy 
head  sea.  At  noon  found  we  were  100  miles 
south  west  of  the  Cape,  and  at  8  p.m.  we  are 
about  80  miles  directly  west  of  the  Cape  with 
all  larboard  studding  sails  set,  and  a  fresh 
breeze  from  the  South  west.  This  a.m.  saw  the 
back  of  a  whale,  and  soon  after  saw  him  spout 
a  column  of  water  high  as  our  mast  head.  We 
have  thus  far  sailed  8,000  miles,  and  are 
about  7,000  to  New  York.  It  is  estimated  that 
it  is  about  15,000  from  New  York  to  Canton; 
2000  from  Canton  to  Java  Head  — 6000 
thence  to  the  Cape  and  7000  thence  to  New 
York.  Lat.  35.06;  Long.  16.45. 

April  16.  Lat.  33.22  —  Long.  13.29  —  We 
have  had  a  strong  breeze  from  the  S.  East  all 
day,  but  do  not  expect  to  get  the  Trade  winds 
from  this  same  quarter  for  a  day  or  two.  We 
are  rolling  along  finely,  direct  for  St.  Helena 
with  the  wind  directly  aft.  Aleck  came  on 
deck  today  for  the  first  time  since  the  accident, 
and  is  still  quite  lame.  One  of  my  paroquets 
died  last  night  from  the  effects  of  the  cold,  and 


HENRY  BLANEY  103 

have  only  one  left  which  I  am  in  hopes  will 
live  to  get  into  N.  Yk.  They  resemble  a  Par- 
rot, are  about  as  large  as  a  Sparrow,  and  of 
brilliant  plumage.  Thermometer  today  40 
degrees. 

April  17.  Lat.  31.36  ;  Long.  10.12  —  1  de- 
voted nearly  all  this  morning  writing  up  my 
Journal,  as  the  sea  is  calmer  than  we  have  had 
it  for  several  days.  The  Captain  is  keeping 
further  to  the  south  than  usual,  with  the  hope 
of  finding  stronger  breezes.  The  usual  track 
for  vessels  bound  across  the  Equator,  is  about 
150  miles  to  the  North,  and  steer  directly  for 
St.  Helena,  but  as  he  does  not  intend  to  stop 
he  has  adopted  the  above  course. 

April  18.  Sunday.  Is  cloudy  all  day  and 
cannot  get  the  Sun.  Took  a  Lunar  in  the  after- 
noon and  found  our  position  to  be  Lat.  29.45 ; 
Long.  7  —  Fine  trades,  and  all  sails  drawing  to 
the  best  advantage,  made  174  miles. 

April  19.  Lat.  28.01 ;  Long.  5.5  —  Smooth 
sea.  At  9  a.m.  a  ship  hove  in  sight  to  wind- 
ward, steering  N.N.W.  This  day  the  afternoon 
watches  commence  on  deck.  Made  157  miles. 

April  20.  Lat.  27.01  —  Long.  3.33  —  Made 


104  HENRY  BLANEY 

only  68  miles.  Gentle  breeze  and  fine  weather. 
Studding  sails  set  on  both  sides.  60  days  out. 

April  24.  Lat.  23.04  — Long.  2.16.  Made 
only  32  miles.  This  day's  run  is,  I  think,  the 
shortest  since  we  left  China.  Light  airs  from 
the  N.N.E.  with  clear  fine  weather.  This  fore- 
noon while  looking  over  the  bow  saw  several 
"  Albacores  "  playing  upon  the  top  of  the  water. 
One  of  the  men  succeeded  in  catching  one  with 
a  hook  and  line.  He  weighed  about  60  lbs.  The 
next  day,  he  was  fried,  and  made  into  a  chow- 
der. 

April  25.  Sunday.  Lat.  22.53  — Long.  1.42 
—  Made  only  30  miles.  Thermometer  65  de- 
grees. After  6  days  calm  weather,  during  which 
time  we  have  made  only  360  miles,  we  are  fa- 
vored with  the  regular  S.  East  Trade  winds, 
and  soon  after  the  commencement  of  this  sea 
day,  sailed  at  the  rate  of  6  knots,  which  we 
averaged  the  day  through.  We  are  now  about 
600  miles  from  St.  Helena  and  expect  by  Thurs- 
day a.m.  to  be  up  with  it. 

April  26.  In  the  morning  we  had  gentle 
breezes  from  the  S.E.  and  at  2  p.m.  the  wind 
hauled  to  E.S.E.  and  freshened  again  to  6 


HENRY  BLANEY  105 

knots.  Lat.  21.39;  Long.  00.01  East.  Made 
120  miles.  Thermometer  68  degrees. 

April  27.  Lat.  19.50— Long.  02.04  W. 
Made  168  miles.  We  have  a  fresh  breeze  from 
the  S.  East  all  day,  which  is  very  encouraging. 
At  10  a.m.  saw  a  bark  on  our  lee  bow,  and  at 
^  past  twelve  made  her  out  to  be  an  American 
Whaler.  Soon  after  she  passed  across  our  bows 
about  5  ships  lengths  ahead  and  as  we  came 
up  abeam  she  was  about  two  ships  lengths  off. 
Capt.  Stoddard  hailed  her  with,  "  Where  you 
from?  "  "  Where  you  bound?  "  "  What 's  your 
longitude?  "  "  How  much  Oil  have  you?  "  Her 
Captain  answered,  "  From  New  York "  — 
"Cruising  for  Sperm  Whales."  "1.30"  — 
"  230  bbls."  We  could  distinctly  read  her  name. 
"  Nimrod  —  Sag  Harbor  "  as  we  passed.  By 
the  time  we  had  asked  those  questions  and  re- 
ceived the  answers,  she  was  out  of  speaking 
distance,  and  steering  East,  and  we  kept  on 
our  N.W.  course. 

April  28.  Lat.  17.12  —  Long.  4.20  —  Made 
190  miles.  Clear  pleasant  weather,  and  all  sails 
set  to  the  best  advantage. 

April  29.  I  arose  at  5  o'clk.,  and  as  soon  as 


106  HENRY  BLANEY 

it  was  daylight,  with  the  hope  of  finding  the 
ship  close  to  St.  Helena,  but  was  disappointed. 
A  heavy  dark  cloud  obstructed  my  view  beyond 
8  or  10  miles,  but  an  hour  after,  it  passed  to 
the  westward  and  I  could  plainly  distinguish 
the  faint  outline  of  a  dark  mass  directly  ahead, 
and  apparently  20  or  30  miles  off.  It  is  very 
difficult  for  one  unaccustomed  to  detecting  ob- 
jects at  sea,  to  distinguish  land  from  the  dark 
clouds  arising  above  the  edge  of  the  horizon, 
or  to  make  up  one's  mind  with  any  degree  of 
certainty  as  to  the  nature  of  any  dark  object 
which  is  just  discernible  to  the  naked  eye,  or 
even  with  a  good  Spy-Glass ;  but  knowing  we 
were  heading  directly  for  the  Island  and  from 
the  observation  of  yesterday,  and  the  distance 
we  had  run  by  dead  reckoning,  the  ship  was 
about  40  miles  from  the  Island,  I  concluded 
that  the  dark  object  ahead  could  be  nothing 
but  St.  Helena.  At  8  o'clk  the  Island  could  be 
plainly  distinguished,  and  was  apparently  about 
20  miles  off.  We  were  then  going  about  five 
knots,  and  Capt.  Stoddard  remarked  that  if 
we  should  have  a  strong  breeze  so  as  to  come 
up  with  St.  Helena  by  12  o'clk,  he  would  drop 


HENRY  BLANEY  107 

anchor  for  a  couple  of  hours.  Almost  as  if  by 
magic  a  10  knot  breeze  sprang  up  from  the 
South  East,  and  lessened  the  distance  so  as  to 
make  the  Trees  at  Longwood  distinctly  visible. 
It  presented  a  mass  of  rocks  without  the  least 
sign  of  vegetation,  with  the  exception  of  the 
few  trees  seen  at  Longwood,  the  residence  and 
tomb  of  the  late  Emperor  Napoleon.  As  we 
passed  the  east  end  of  the  Island  about  two 
miles  off,  I  could  with  the  aid  of  a  glass,  dis- 
tinguish from  among  the  trees  the  Emperor's 
house,  which  is  the  only  one  on  this  end  of  the 
Island,  and  am  told  that  it  is  used  for  a  farm 
house,  and  the  room  which  he  used  for  his  par- 
lor and  in  which  he  died  is  now  turned  into  a 
carriage  house.  This  building  is  now  resorted 
to  by  all  persons  who  visit  the  Island,  from 
curiosity  to  see  and  touch  the  place  where  the 
greatest  soldier  of  the  age  resided  the  last  six 
years  of  his  natural  life,  or  anything  which  was 
formerly  in  his  possession.  His  tomb  is  about 
two  miles  from  the  house,  and  is  a  spot  much 
resorted  to  by  strangers,  as  the  place  where  all 
that  remained  of  the  great  man  who  was  the 
terror  of  the  European  powers,  and  which  took 


108  HENRY  BLANEY 

three  of  the  greatest  powers  of  the  Earth  to 
crush,  reposed  for  the  period  of  nineteen  years, 
until  the  change  of  rulers  in  France,  prompted 
them  to  ask  of  England  the  liberty  of  trans- 
ferring the  remains  to  his  native  soil  on  the 
banks  of  the  Seine,  "  in  the  heart  of  his  dear 
France,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  people  whom 
he  so  dearly  loved."  Several  of  the  willows 
were  transferred  to  France  with  the  body,  and 
I  had  previously  made  up  my  mind,  if  possi- 
ble, to  visit  the  spot  and  gather  a  shoot  of  the 
willow  as  a  memento  of  my  visit.  As  our  stay 
was  very  short  I  was  deprived  of  this  pleasure, 
but  fortunately  the  American  Consul's  lady, 
whom  I  called  upon,  kindly  gave  me  a  twig 
which  she  had  gathered  a  few  days  previous  on 
one  of  her  visits  to  the  Tomb,  and  had  preserved 
in  a  large  bottle. 

On  rounding  the  North  East  point  of  the 
Island,  the  anchorage,  which  is  the  only  one 
around  the  Island,  came  in  view,  and  twenty 
minutes  after  let  go  our  anchor.  We  were  im- 
mediately boarded  by  the  Port  Physician,  Har- 
bor Master,  News  Collector,  and  the  American 
Consul,  Mr.  John  Carroll.    From  the  latter  I 


HENRY  BLANEY  109 

learned  that  the  American  ship  "  Adelaide," 
Capt.  Cobb,  who  had  left  Shanghae  14  days 
before  us,  bound  for  New  York,  had  not  ar- 
rived, neither  the  American  Bk.  "  Oriental," 
Capt.  Dale  bound  for  Boston,  who  left  a  week 
before  us.  We  procured  files  of  English  pa- 
pers to  the  20th  January,  and  American  to  the 
1st.  Nov.,  and  from  them  we  learned  of  the 
new  troubles  in  France,  and  the  great  fire  in 
Washington,  etc. 

There  were  only  six  vessels  in  port  —  One 
English  Man  of  War,  Two  Eng.  Merchantmen, 
one  American  Whaler,  (Bark  "Mary  Gard- 
ner "  Capt.  D.  Smith,  Sag  Harbor)  and  two 
French  Merchantmen. 

The  appearance  of  this  immense  mass  of 
rock,  looking  up  from  the  ship,  was  truly 
grand ;  and  with  the  several  Forts  both  upon 
the  top  and  sides  of  the  rocks,  defended  by 
cannon  and  about  450  men,  presented  truly  a 
warlike  appearance. 

Soon  after  the  anchor  was  dropped,  Mr.  Car- 
roll invited  the  Captain  and  myself  to  go  on 
shore.  We  landed  at  the  foot  of  Jamestown,  or 
as  it  is  sometimes  called,  Napoleon's  Valley,  at 


110  HENRY  BLANEY 

the  same  stairs  where  Napoleon  landed  after 
being  made  a  prisoner  by  the  English  in  the 
year  1815. 

This  town  is  situated  at  the  entrance  of  the 
valley,  and  is  almost  obscured  by  the  over- 
hanging rocks  enclosing  it.  A  row  of  trees  be- 
hind the  ramparts,  and  another  behind  the 
Governor's  house,  give  it  a  pleasant  appear- 
ance. The  houses  are  neatly  built  on  each  side 
of  the  principal  street,  which  lies  in  a  direct 
line  up  the  valley.  I  am  told  there  is  a  run  of 
water  proceeding  from  a  small  spring,  and 
from  a  waterfall  which  falls  over  a  precipice 
about  200  feet  perpendicular  into  an  ancient 
volcanic  Crater,  but  I  did  not  have  time  to 
visit  it.  About  two  miles  from  Longwood,  (Na- 
poleon's residence)  is  a  fine  spring  of  water, 
from  which  all  the  water  for  his  use  was 
brought.  Napoleon  was  very  fond  of  visiting 
this  spot,  and  in  his  will  expressed  the  wish  to 
be  buried  there,  which  was  complied  with.  On 
the  right  side  of  the  valley,  a  zig  zag  road  is 
cut  for  ascending  Ladder  Hill,  which  is  about 
800  feet  high,  and  also  a  flight  of  steps  lead- 
ing directly  to  the  summit.  On  the  top  of  this 


HENRY  BLANEY  111 

hill  is  mounted  a  heavy  battery  of  guns,  which 
commands  the  valley  and  anchorage.  At  the 
other  side  of  this  valley  is  Sugar  Loaf  Hill, 
with  a  signal  post  at  the  top,  and  at  its  base 
are  three  other  batteries  at  a  little  distance 
from  each  other,  called  Butter  Milk,  and  Banks 
Upper  and  Lower  Batteries.  A  little  to  the 
South  West  of  these,  Rupert  battery  appears 
at  the  bottom  of  the  Valley  of  this  name, 
formed  by  a  strong  stone  wall  mounted  with 
heavy  cannon.  Close  to  the  landing  is  a  Fort, 
called  Munden  Fort,  on  a  point  of  rocks, 
manned  by  a  number  of  guns,  which  also  com- 
mands James  Valley.  Around  this  point  and 
close  to  the  sea,  is  a  long  line  of  Batteries 
commanding  the  landing  and  the  shipping  at 
anchor.  On  the  summit  of  the  hills  are  signal 
posts  all  over  the  Island,  which  communicate 
by  telegraph  with  each  other  and  with  the 
castle.  When  Bonaparte  was  a  prisoner  here, 
a  gun  was  fired  whenever  a  ship  was  seen  ap- 
proaching, and  this  was  repeated  by  other 
posts  to  the  Castle.  This  was  called  an  alarm. 
If  more  ships  appeared  a  gun  was  fired  for 
each,  till  five  in  number,  when  a  signal  was 


112  HENRY  BLANEY 

made  for  a  fleet,  but  if  more  than  two  sail  ap- 
peared to  be  steering  for  the  Island,  a  general 
alarm  was  beaten,  and  every  person  immedi- 
ately took  the  station  assigned  him,  and  re- 
mained under  arms  till  the  Governor  was  in- 
formed what  ships  they  were.  There  were 
always  four  men  of  war  cruising  off  the  Island, 
so  that  an  attempt  to  rescue  Napoleon  would 
have  been  perfectly  insane.  There  is  a  story 
current  of  a  Yankee  Smuggler,  who  offered  to 
get  Napoleon  off  the  Island  by  means  of  a 
submarine  conveyance,  provided  he  would  find 
means  to  lower  himself  down  to  the  edge  of 
the  water,  but  as  every  path  was  guarded  by  a 
sentinel  and  he  having  grown  very  corpulent, 
the  project  was  given  up. 

Arriving  at  Mr.  Carroll's  house,  we  were 
introduced  to  his  family,  consisting  of  his  lady, 
his  son  John  and  lady,  and  two  younger  sons ; 
together  with  Mrs.  Babcock  wife  of  the  Cap- 
tain of  one  of  the  whalers  cruising  off  the  Island. 
Our  visit,  though  short,  was  very  pleasant,  and 
was  quite  a  relief  after  being  cooped  up  on 
board  ship  for  70  days. 

This  Island  is  about  9  miles  long  and  3  miles 


HENRY  BLANEY  113 

wide.  The  highest  point  of  land  is  in  the  centre 
of  the  Island,  about  2200  feet  high  and  is 
called  Diana's  Peak.  Near  this  is  a  conical 
shaped  hill  a  little  over  2000  ft.  high.  The 
difference  of  Temperature  on  these  hills  and 
the  valleys  is  said  to  be  about  10  degrees,  and 
on  the  former  the  air  is  always  cool  and  pleas- 
ant, blowing  from  the  South  East  all  the  year 
round.  The  whole  island  is  said  to  have  been 
formed  by  a  volcanic  eruption,  and  to  look 
down  from  some  of  the  hills,  it  has  the  appear- 
ance of  being  thrown  up  by  a  convulsion  of 
nature,  and  the  burnt  appearance  of  the  rocks 
seems  to  prove  this  origin. 

I  am  told  that  heavy  dark  clouds  frequently 
burst  over  the  valley  and  deluge  it  completely. 
Several  years  back,  a  heavy  cloud  broke  over 
Rupert  Mountain,  deluged  it  with  a  torrent  of 
water,  and  carried  a  great  part  of  the  breast 
work  and  some  of  the  guns  into  the  sea. 

Mr.  Carroll  estimated  the  number  of  inhab- 
itants to  be  about  7000,  —  5000  of  whom  are 
natives  of  the  Island  and  descendants  of  slaves 
from  the  coasts  of  Africa.  Nearly  the  whole  of 
this  class  are  held  as  slaves,  and  subsist  almost 


114  HENRY  BLANEY 

entirely  upon  Rice.  A  few  days  before  we  ar- 
rived, the  lady  of  the  Captain  of  a  Spanish 
vessel  wished  to  purchase  a  girl  for  a  servant, 
and  as  soon  as  it  became  known,  several  were 
advertised  for  sale  at  reasonable  prices;  and 
this  in  one  of  her  English  Majesty's  Colonies ; 
who  makes  such  a  great  cry  at  home  about  the 
wickedness  of  Slavery  in  our  Country. 

As  the  Consul  was  very  anxious  to  have  his 
family  see  the  cabin  of  our  ship,  which  is  fitted 
up  in  very  neat  style,  Capt.  Stoddard  invited 
them  off  on  board,  and  sent  word  to  the  steward 
to  provide  a  dinner  for  twelve.  Soon  after,  we 
went  on  board  in  company  with  Capt.  Smith 
of  the  Whaler  and  Mr.  Carroll's  father  in  law, 
an  old  Captain  of  the  English  Infantry  who  was 
a  lieuftenant  when  Napoleon  landed.  They  were 
all  very  much  pleased  with  the  ship,  and  more 
particularly  with  the  dinner  which  was  served 
up  in  the  steward's  best  style.  The  preserved 
Corn  which  was  brought  from  the  States  and 
put  up  in  tins,  took  the  eye  of  Mrs.  Babcock 
and  Capt.  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Sag  Harbor.  As  they  sat  down  to  dinner 
they  both  exclaimed  "  Well!  if  here  aint  some 


HENRY  BLANEY  115 

'  Sackertash ' !  Who  'd  a  thought  of  seeing 
1  Sackertash '  in  St.  Helena  ?  "  By  the  time  we 
had  finished  our  dinner,  the  water  and  other 
stores  were  on  board  ;  the  mate  gave  the  word 
to  heave  the  anchor  short,  and  preparations 
were  made  for  the  party  to  return  on  shore. 
As  soon  as  they  took  leave  and  descended  into 
their  boat,  our  anchor  was  weighed,  sails  hoisted, 
and  we  bid  adieu  to  St.  Helena,  in  company 
with  the  English  Man  of  War  for  the  African 
Coast,  two  French  ships  for  France,  and  our 
own  good  ship  for  "  the  land  of  the  free  and 
the  home  of  the  brave." 

The  two  French  ships  steered  the  same  track 
with  ourselves,  and  we  soon  passed  ahead  of 
them ;  by  7  o'clock  p.m.  they  were  both  hull 
down  astern. 

April  30.  Lat.  15.10 ;  Long.  7.05  —  Made 
90  miles.  At  breakfast  this  morning  the  steward 
broiled  a  few  of  the  mackerel  which  had  been 
procured  at  St.  Helena  with  other  stores.  Mr. 
Hanson  (the  mate)  and  myself  ate  heartily  of 
them,  and  soon  after  we  were  attacked  with 
vertigo  and  a  violent  rush  of  blood  to  the  head, 
which  Capt.  Stoddard  said  was  caused  by  the 


116  HENRY  BLANEY 

mackerel  poisoned  by  the  influence  of  the  moon. 
A  light  dose  of  medicine  and  a  good  nights 
rest  removed  all  the  effects  of  our  impru- 
dence. 

May  1.  Lat.  14.15;  Long  9.32— Made 
150  miles.  Fine  pleasant  weather,  wind  di- 
rectly aft,  and  studding  sails  out  on  both  sides. 
Steering  north  west  1  north  —  variation  of  1£ 
points. 

May  2.  Sunday.  Lat.  13.11 ;  Long.  12.02 
—  Made  162  miles.  Weather  and  wind  about 
the  same  as  yesterday  and  we  are  steering  the 
same  course,  which  we  do  not  vary  from,  till 
we  arrive  in  the  Latitude  of  N.Yk.,  unless  the 
wind  heads  off. 

May  3.  Lat.  12.08;  Long.  14.05— Made 
130  miles.  Today  a  very  laughable  occurrence 
took  place,  though  the  death  of  a  poor  monkey 
was  the  result  of  it,  through  the  ignorance  of 
Joe  the  Cow  boy.  He  had  a  very  vicious  mon- 
key, and  in  order  to  instill  into  his  noddle  a 
comprehension  of  the  sin  of  not  strictly  follow- 
ing one  of  the  commandments  —  "  Thou  shalt 
not  steal " —  would  fasten  him  to  a  line  and 
tow  him  in  the  water  over  the  bows,  until,  as 


HENRY  BLANEY  117 

the  Cook  says,  "he  almost  distinguished  the 
vital  spark."  Today  Joe  was  unusually  severe, 
and  towed  him  till  life  was  nearly  extinct. 
Seeing  he  was  unable  to  move,  Joe's  conscience 
smote  him.  The  Steward  advised  him,  as  the 
fire  in  the  galley  had  gone  out,  to  build  a  new 
one  and  endeavor  to  resuscitate  him.  He  went 
to  work,  built  a  strong  fire,  and  hoping  to  warm 
him  through  speedily,  put  him  on  the  top  of  the 
stove  and  covered  him  over  with  a  piece  of  can- 
vas, and  as  he  thought  he  had  finished  his  part 
of  the  charitable  performance,  left  nature  to  do 
the  rest.  She  did  do  it,  and  as  Mrs.  Atherton 
used  to  say,  "faith,  she  did  it  brown."  Joe, 
thinking  it  possible  poor  Jacko  would  be  dried 
through  or  might  want  to  be  turned  over,  took 
off  the  cloth.  Whew !  what  a  smell  of  burnt 
rags.  He  was  dry  with  a  vengeance.  One  side 
was  burnt  to  a  crisp  and  the  other  as  brown  as 
a  nut;  while  his  tail,  which  was  originally  a  long 
one,  and  straight,  was  kinked  up  and  almost 
twisted  into  knots  by  the  heat. 

May Jf.  Lat.  10.32  —  Long.  16.42  —  Made 
180  miles.  This  day  I  was  in  hopes  we  should 
make  over  200  miles.    The  ship  had  averaged 


118  HENRY  BLANEY 

over  9  knots  up  to  daylight  this  morning,  when 
it  slacked  off  to  5  knots. 

May  5.  Lat.  8.53  — Long.  19.42  —  207 
miles.  First  part  of  the  Trades  —  Studding 
sails  set  on  both  sides.  Rain  showers  in  the 
night  —  Wind  S.E.  course  N.W.  |  North. 

May  6.  Lat.  07.08  South  — Long.  22.45 
West.  Made  215  miles.  Strong  trades ;  pleas- 
ant weather  with  an  occasional  shower.  Course 
N.W.  1  North.  Wind  South  East. 

May  10.  Lat.  2.06  —Long.  29.44  —  Made 
37  miles.  Weather  today  the  same  as  usual  in 
these  latitudes,  pleasant  in  the  morning  and 
raining  in  the  afternoon.  This  p.m.  a  bark  hove 
in  sight,  steering  N.  by  West.  Talking  with 
Capt.  Stoddard  today  of  Ships  and  the  Cost 
of  running  them,  he  said  the  "  Mandarin  "  cost 
about  $70,000,  and  the  cost  of  running  her,  ex- 
clusive of  port  charges,  was  $50.  per  day. 

May  12.  Lat.  0.38  South  — Long.  30.4 
West.  Made  30  miles.  Light  baffling  winds. 
In  company  with  one  ship  and  two  brigs  steer- 
ing Northward.  P.M.  wind  south,  course  N. 
by  W. 

May  13.  Lat.  0.08  North  —  Long.  30.12  — 


HENRY  BLANEY  119 

distance  40  miles.  Wind  from  all  points  of 
the  Compass,  and  frequent  squalls.  A  French 
Man  of  "War  in  sight  steering  N.W.  probably- 
bound  to  some  of  the  Islands  in  the  West  Indies. 
Crossed  the  Equator  about  10  o'clk  this  morn- 
ing. Today  the  sun  arose  at  6  o'clk  and  set  at  6. 

May  U.  Lat.  1.17  — Long.  31.17  — Made 
94  miles.  Gentle  breezes  from  the  N.  East  in 
the  morning,  and  squally  with  much  rain  in  the 
afternoon. 

May  15.  Lat.  2.18  —  Long.  31.37  —  Made 
65  miles.  Light  airs  from  the  South.  At  2  p.m. 
strong  breeze  from  the  North  East,  with  heavy 
rain  showers.  Course  North  by  "West,  wind 
South  by  S.  West.  85  days  out. 

May  16.  Sunday.  Lat.  3.25 —Long.  32.17 
—  Made  80  miles.  This  day  came  in  with  light 
airs  and  passing  clouds.  At  3  p.m.  the  weather 
very  hot,  and  a  light  swell  from  the  N.  East. 
At  midnight  moderate  breezes  from  the  East- 
ward. 

May  17.  Lat.  5.04  — Long.  35.35  — Dis- 
tance 220  miles.  All  Starboard  studding;  sails 
set.  At  noon  strong  Trades  with  squalls  of 
rain. 


120  HENRY  BLANEY 

May  18.  Lat.  7.14.  Long.  39.40  — Made 
280  miles.  Trades  very  fresh  from  North  East 
by  North.  At  2  p.m.  split  the  main  royal. 

May  19.  Lat.  9.50  —  Long.  43.24  —  Made 
280  miles.  Strong  Trades  from  the  N.E.  mak- 
ing N.W.  course.  This  Evening  saw  the  north 
star  just  above  the  horizon. 

May  20.  Lat.  12.17  —  Long.  47.10  — 
Made  262  miles.  Trades  began  to  moderate  so 
that  the  starboard  studding  sails  could  be  set. 
Wind  N.E.  Course  N.W. 

May  21.  Lat.  14.44 — Long.  50.45  —  Made 
258  miles.  Wind  N.E.  Course  N.W.  Trades 
still  moderating. 

May  22.  Lat.  16.52  N.  Long  53.56  W. 
distance  220  miles.  Today  we  are  directly 
under  the  sun,  and  at  12  Meridian,  can  stand 
in  its  rays  without  its  casting  a  shadow.  The 
sun  revolves  from  East  to  West  between  the 
parallels  of  Latitude  of  23^  degrees  North  and 
South.  From  the  17th.  to  the  23rd.  June,  the 
sun  has  reached  its  northern  limit,  23 1  de- 
grees, and  on  the  24th  June  begins  to  return 
south ;  during  that  period  the  days  at  Boston 
are  15  hours  and  17  minutes  long.  On  the  20th 


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HENRY  BLANEY  121 

December  the  sun  reached  its  southern  limit, 
23 1  degrees  and  remains  till  the  23rd  when 
it  progresses  North.  The  length  of  the  days 
then,  at  Boston,  is  9  hours  and  4  minutes. 

The  last  three  or  four  days  I  have  noticed 
immense  fields  of  floating  yellow  weed.  When 
the  weather  was  calm  and  the  water  smooth, 
it  was  seen  in  great  quantities,  and  when  a 
breeze  sprang  up,  would  detach  and  float  by  in 
clusters.  Capt.  Stoddard  says  it  is  found  in  the 
water  far  from  any  land  or  rocks,  and  is  seen 
only  between  the  Longitudes  50  degrees  and 
70  degrees  West  and  Latitudes  10  deg.  and 
40  deg.  North.  It  is  also  seen  in  the  Pacific 
Ocean  near  the  Bashee1  Islands. 

May  23.  Sunday.  Lat.  19.24— Long.  56.37 
—  distance  220  miles.  Course  N.W.  by  N. 
Wind  N.E.  by  E.  Fine  trades  —  Pleasant 
weather,  smooth  sea. 

Today  saw  the  first  species  of  a  whale.  Two 
fin  backs.  I  was  sitting  aft  on  the  quarter  deck 
when  one  arose  close  along  side,  with  a  noise 

1  The  Bashee  Islands  are  in  Lat.  20°  4ff  N.;  Long.  122° 
£. ;  about  halfway  between  the  Islands  of  Luzon  and  For- 


122  HENRY  BLANEY 

like  the  first  snort  of  a  Steam  Engine.  They 
spouted  no  water,  but  played  around  the  ship 
about  two  hours. 

May  24.  Lat.  22.03  Long.  59.02—  dis- 
tance 208  miles.  Course  N.W.  by  N.  Wind 
N.E.  by  E.  Fine  trades,  clear  pleasant  weather. 
Crew  painting  ship  inside. 

May  25.  Lat.  23.35— Long.  60.56— dis- 
tance 150  miles.  First  part  of  the  day  fine 
breeze  from  the  East,  and  pleasant  weather. 
Painting  ship  outside. 

May  26.  Lat.  24.33  — Long.  61.46  — dis- 
tance 76  miles.  Light  airs  and  clear  pleasant 
weather.  Larboard  studding  sails  set.  Course 
N.W.  1  North.  Wind  East. 

May  27.  Lat.  25.30  — Long.  62.16  — dis- 
tance 94  miles  —  Light  breezes  from  the  South 
East.  Clear  pleasant  weather  and  smooth  sea. 

May  28.  Lat.  26.51— Long.  64.19  — dis- 
tance 130  miles.  Light  breezes  —  smooth  sea. 
Studding  sails  out  on  both  sides.  Occasional 
showers.  Saw  a  Schooner  bound  south  and 
west. 

May  29.  Lat.  28.25 —Long.  65.36  — dis- 
tance 115  miles.   Gentle  breezes  from  South 


HENRY  BLANEY  123 

East  —  Clear  fine  weather,  smooth  sea  — 
Course  N.W.  by  N. 

May  30.  Sunday.  Lat.  29.20  —  Long. 
66.40 — distance  75  miles.  Light  airs,  fine 
weather,  studding  sails  out  both  sides.  At  day- 
light saw  a  fore  and  aft  schooner  and  a  herm. 
brig.  We  are  100  days  out  from  Shanghae. 
Think  we  shall  arrive  next  Friday  p.m.  Wind 
South,  Course  N.W. 

May  31.  Lat.  30.47  — Long.  68.07  — dis- 
tance 118  miles.  This  morning  at  daylight  the 
wind  came  out  from  the  South  West  and  at 
noon  had  increased  to  10  knots  with  the  pros- 
pect of  improving.  This  a.m.  passed  a  herm. 
brig,  bound  probably  for  Cuba  or  some  of  the 
Leeward  Islands.  This  day  we  are  in  latitude 
of  New  Orleans. 

June  1.  Lat.  32.38 —Long.  69.54  — Course 
North  West.  At  3  a.m.  squally  with  much 
rain.  Took  in  the  royals.  At  6  a.m.  calm  with 
a  strong  swell  from  the  North  West.  We  made 
this  day  144  miles. 

June  2.  Lat.  34.47  —  Long.  71.26  —  fresh 
breezes  from  the  South  West.  At  4  a.m.  wind 
shifted  to  North  East  —  our  course  N.W.  by 


124  HENRY  BLANEY 

N.  At  10  a.m.  we  are  directly  in  the  Longi- 
tude of  Boston  State  House  (which  lays  in 
Lat.  42.21.5  Long.  71.04.2).  Therefore  our 
Chronometer  time  and  old  Hollis  St.  Church 
should  compare.  At  2  P.M.  crossed  the  Eastern 
edge  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  which  we  noticed  by 
the  Tide  rips.  This  stream,  where  we  cross, 
sets  to  the  Eastward  2^  or  3  knots  per  hour. 
Our  course  is  not  altered  to  allow  for  this  cur- 
rent, as  there  is  a  counter  current  on  the  east 
and  west  edges,  and  gives  a  straight  course. 
In  immersing  a  Thermometer  in  the  water,  I 
noticed  a  difference  in  the  temperature  of  5 
degrees ;  outside  the  edge  of  the  stream  71  de- 
grees —  Inside  76  degrees.  Middle  of  the 
stream  80  degrees.  The  Southern  vessels  bound 
North  in  thick  weather  guide  themselves  solely 
by  the  temperature  of  the  water.  The  distance 
run  today  was  160  miles.  Distance  from  New 
York  370  miles.  Are  still  sanguine  of  being 
in  N.  Yk.  Friday  p.m. 

June  3.  Lat.  37.15— Long.  72.38  — dis- 
tance 174  miles.  Course  N.W.  by  W.  Wind 
very  fresh  from  the  W.  S.W.  At  daylight  still 
in  the  Gulf  Stream  —  temperature  80  degrees. 


HENRY  BLANEY  125 

Saw  a  Schooner  on  our  larboard  bow  steering 
the  same  course  as  ourselves.  At  9  a.m.  tem- 
perature of  the  water  73  degrees,  showing  we 
are  approaching  the  western  edge.  Passed  2 
ships,  and  one  Bark  on  our  lee,  all  probably 
Cotton  vessels  from  N.  Yk.  bound  to  some  of 
the  Southern  ports.  At  1  p.m.  2  other  ships 
bound  the  same  as  the  others.  At  2  p.m. 
Temperature  water  62  degrees  —  color  dark 
blue  —  In  the  Gulf  Stream  —  black,  p.m.  all 
hands  busy  getting  the  Anchors  over  the 
bows. 

At  8  p.m.  wind  came  out  from  the  north,  just 
the  course  we  wished  to  steer,  i  an  hour  after, 
a  severe  squall  struck  the  ship,  but  the  royals 
and  top  gallant  sails  were  fortunately  taken 
in  in  time.  At  9  p.m.  was  boarded  by  a  New 
York  Pilot  who  reported  us  to  be  160  miles 
south  of  Sandy  Hook  and  15  miles  east  of 
Cape  May.  Sounded  at  midnight  and  found 
37  fathoms  water.  Tacked  ship  and  stood  off 
to  the  N.E.  The  pilot  brought  on  board  a  file 
of  newspapers  the  latest  of  which  was  31st 
May.  Every  article  was  read  with  the  greatest 
interest,  even  the  advertisements.  The  last  we 


126  HENRY  BLANEY 

had  seen  were  obtained  at  St.  Helena,  and 
dated  Jan. 

June  4'  At  sunrise  wind  still  ahead  and 
blowing  a  gale.  Took  in  all  the  light  sails  and 
reefed  the  topsails.  At  noon  reckoned  our- 
selves to  be  90  miles  South  Sandy  Hook  and 
10  miles  off  Little  Egg  Harbor  in  New  Jersey. 
Could  plainly  see  the  land  —  very  low  sand 
hills.  Standing  off  and  on  all  day  without  gain- 
ing a  mile  on  our  course  —  6  or  8  small  vessels 
in  sight — part  of  them  Pilot  boats.  At  sun- 
down wind  died  away,  and  a  prospect  of  the 
wind  coming  out  from  the  westward.  In  that 
case  shall  probably  be  in  New  York  by  Satur- 
day P.M. 

June  5.  At  daylight  wind  came  out  from 
the  North  and  directly  ahead.  The  morning 
was  spent  in  beating  off  and  on  the  coast.  At 
noon  a  calm.  At  5  p.m.  wind  came  out  light 
from  the  Southward ;  put  her  before  the  wind 
and  set  larboard  studding  sails.  At  8  p.m.  5 
steamships  passed  us  from  New  York  —  2  for 
Chagres  —  1  for  Charleston  —  1  for  Savannah 
and  1  for  Norfolk. 

June  6.  Sunday.  At  daylight  made  Sandy 


HENRY  BLANEY  127 

Hook  and  at  8  a.m.  a  steamer  took  us  in  tow 
and  carried  us  along  side  the  wharf  in  New 
York  City  —  after  a  very  pleasant  passage  of 
105  days. 

From  Shanghae  to  Anjer  (Java)  17  days 

Anjer        "  Cape  Good  Hope  38 

Cape  Good  Hope  to  St.  Helena  15 

St.  Helena  to  the  Equator  14 

Equator  to  New  York  21 

Shanghae  to  New  York  105 

Henry  Blaney. 


THE   END 


NOTES 

"In  1847,  A.  A.  Low  &  Bro.  brought  out 
the  Samuel  Russell,  of  940  tons,  built  by 
Brown  &  Bell  and  commanded  by  Captain 
N.  B.  Palmer,  formerly  of  the  Houqua.  Her 
first  voyage  from  New  York  to  Hong-Kong 
was  made  by  the  eastern  passages  in  114 
days.  On  a  voyage  from  Canton  in  1851  she 
sailed  6780  miles  in  30  days,  an  average  of 
226  miles  per  day,  her  greatest  twenty-four 
hours'  run  being  328  miles.  This  ship  was 
named  for  the  eminent  New  York  merchant, 
founder  of  the  house  of  Russell  &  Company 
of  China,  with  whom  the  brothers  Low  began 
their  career  as  merchants  and  shipowners.  She 
was  a  beautiful  vessel,  heavily  sparred,  with 
plenty  of  light  canvas  for  moderate  weather, 
and  every  inch  a  clipper." 

(The  voyage  from  Canton  in  1851,  referred 
to  above,  was  presumably  the  return  voyage 
next  after  Mr.  Blaney's  outward  passage.) 


130  NOTES 

"  The  only  clipper  ship  to  make  the  voyage 
to  San  Francisco  prior  to  1850  was  the  Mem- 
non,  under  Captain  George  Gordon,  which 
arrived  there  July  28,  1849,  after  a  record 
passage  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  days  from 
New  York.  The  first  contest  of  clippers  round 
Cape  Horn  took  place  in  1850,  between  the 
Houqua,  Sea  Witch,  Samuel  Russell,  and  Mem- 
non,  old  rivals  on  China  voyages,  and  the  new 
clippers  Celestial,  Mandarin,  and  Race  Horse. 
All  of  these  vessels  had  their  friends,  and 
large  sums  of  money  were  wagered  on  the  re- 
sult, the  four  older  ships,  especially  the  Sea 
Witch,  having  established  high  reputations  for 
speed.  The  Samuel  Russell  was  commanded  by 
Captain  Charles  Low,  previously  of  the  Hou- 
qua,  while  the  Houqua  was  now  commanded 
by  Captain  McKenzie ;  Captain  Gordon  was 
again  in  the  Memnon;  and  Captain  George 
Fraser,  who  had  sailed  with  Captain  Water- 
man as  chief  mate,  commanded  the  Sea  Witch. 

"  The  Samuel  Russell  arrived  at  San  Fran- 
cisco May  6,  1850,  after  a  passage  of  109 
days  from  New  York,  thus  knocking  11  days 
off  the  record,  and  her  friends  and  backers 


NOTES  131 

felt  confident  that  this  passage  could  not  be 
surpassed,  at  all  events  not  by  any  of  the 
clippers  of  that  year.  This  opinion  was  in  a 
measure  confirmed  when  the  Houqua  arrived 
on  July  23,  120  days  from  New  York,  but  on 
the  following  day  the  Sea  Witch  came  romp- 
ing up  the  bay,  97  days  from  Sandy  Hook, 
reducing  the  record  by  another  12  days.  This 
passage  astonished  every  one,  even  her  warm- 
est admirers,  and  well  it  might,  for  it  has 
never  been  equalled  by  a  ship  of  her  tonnage 
and  not  often  excelled  even  by  larger  vessels. 
This  performance  of  the  Sea  Witch  was  the 
more  remarkable,  as  she  had  rounded  Cape 
Horn  during  the  Antarctic  midwinter. 

"  The  remainder  of  the  fleet  arrived  in  the 
following  order :  Memnon,  September  27,  123 
days  ;  Celestial,  November  1,  104  days  ;  Race 
Horse,  from  Boston,  November  24,  109  days ; 
and  the  Mandarin,  November  29,  126  days 
from  New  York.  These  were  all  fine  passages, 
especially  when  we  consider  that  none  of  the 
vessels  was  over  1100  tons  register.  The  rec- 
ords show  that  from  June  26  to  July  28, 1850, 
seventeen  vessels  from  New  York  and  sixteen 


132  NOTES 

from  Boston  arrived  at  San  Francisco,  whose 
average  passages  were  159  days,  so  that  even 
the  Mandarin's  passage  of  126  days  was  very 
fast  by  comparison.  We  must  remember  also 
that  none  of  these  vessels  had  the  advantage  of 
using  Maury's  Wind  and  Current  Charts,  as 
at  that  time  sufficient  material  had  not  been 
collected  to  perfect  them." 


The  Samuel  Russell  made  the  following  re- 
cords :  — 

Cape  St.  Roque  to  50  degrees  S.,  16  days, — 
best  time  for  period  1850  to  1860. 

New  York  to  San  Francisco,  —  109  days  in 
1850,  arriving  in  May;  — 106  days  in  1854, 
arriving  in  January. 


"  The  Samuel  Russell  was  wrecked  in  the 
Gaspar  Straits  in  1870,  under  command  of 
Captain  Frederick  Lucas." 


Captain  Limeburner  was  the  first  com- 
mander of  Donald  McKay's  Great  Republic, 
launched  in  1853,  "  the  largest  extreme  clipper 


NOTES  133 

ship  ever  built,"  "  and  by  far  the  largest  mer- 
chant ship  constructed  up  to  that  time."  He  was 
in  command  for  several  years,  during  which 
period  she  made  the  voyage  from  New  York  to 
San  Francisco  in  ninety-two  days,  within  three 
days  of  the  best  record. 


"  The  first  California  clippers,  thirteen  in 
number,  were  launched  during  the  year  1850, 
the  Celestial,  860  tons,  built  by  William  H. 
Webb  and  owned  by  Bucklin  &  Crane,  of  New 
York,  being  the  first  to  leave  the  ways.  She 
was  soon  followed  by  the  Mandarin,  776  tons, 
built  by  Smith  &  Dimon  for  Goodhue  &  Co., 
of  New  York,  and  the  Surprise,  1361  tons, 
owned  by  A.  A.  Low  &  Brother ;  Gamecock, 
1392  tons,  owned  by  Daniel  C.  Bacon,  Boston, 
and  the  barque  Race  Horse,  512  tons,  owned 
by  Goddard  &  Co.,  Boston,  all  built  by  Samuel 
Hall  at  East  Boston." 


"  The  Mandarin,  ...  a  fine-looking  ship, 
was  intended  by  her  builders  to  be  an  improved 
Sea  Witch,  and  although  she  made  some  ex- 
cellent passages,  she   never  came    up   to  the 


134  NOTES 

older  vessel  in  point  of  speed ;  the  Sea  Witch 
was  her  builders'  masterpiece,  and  they,  like 
many  others,  found  her  a  difficult  ship  to  im- 
prove upon." 

The  Mandarin  made  the  following  records :  — 

Cape  St.  Koque  to  50  degrees  S.,  20  days. 

Canton  to  New  York,  89  days. 

New  York  to  Melbourne,  71  days. 


In  1853,  after  the  homeward  voyage  in  the 
Mandarin,  Captain  Stoddard  commanded  the 
Kathay,  of  1460  tons,  built  by  Jacob  A.  Wes- 
tervelt;  this  command  continued  for  several 
years. 


PRINTED  BY  H.  O.  HOUGHTON  *  CO. 

CAMBRIDGE,  MASS. 

U.S.A. 


